Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)

I am delighted the Deputy supports the majority of the recommendations of the review group. The extension of the nine-year rule to 14 years in certain circumstances recognises the difficult situation in which many taxi-drivers find themselves. No Minister responsible for this area has met taxi driver representatives as often as I have met them in this report phase. Along with that we need to take into account the requirements of consumer groups. Consumers want to be in cars they recognise as being safe. It is essential that we have conditions that show that these cars are safe. We do not want any issues regarding the safety standards of these cars affecting public confidence in the use of taxis. Taxi-drivers will confirm that. That is why cars older than nine years and up to 14 years are tested at six-month intervals. The majority of the taxi groups were very supportive of the changes recommended by the committee I chaired.

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