Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)

The taxi regulation review has come up with a number of good ideas but I do not agree with some of their recommendations. The main issues that the taxi industry faces at present are oversupply and proper enforcement. The proposals to phase out vehicles that are older than nine years suggests that we operate differently from other countries in Europe and America. Some of the yellow taxis in America are 20 or 30 years old, as are the black cabs in the North and England. These vehicles are subject to a proper testing system. We have a system that includes the NCT and other tests.

These new proposals will create an additional burden for taxi drivers, many of whom are getting on in age. They will be forced to change their vehicles. Once their vehicles are nine years old they will have to be tested every six months. These tests will impose further costs on an industry that is struggling. The various charges that apply to the taxi drivers are pushing people out of the industry. I agree that we should push out the rogues who are messing up the industry by abusing the system. Nobody disputes the importance of health and safety.

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