Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I met with the Garda Commissioner as recently as last month on the matter of enforcement. To enforce the taxi regulations, including pursuit of the offences mentioned in the Deputy’s question, the role of the Garda Síochána is critical to support the work of the enforcement officers of the National Transport Authority, NTA, who have responsibility for nationwide enforcement in this regard.

Action 24 of the taxi regulation review report proposes strengthening the collaboration between the Garda and the NTA to secure effective on-street enforcement of taxi regulations and refocus the compliance activities of the NTA towards a greater level of off-street compliance and enforcement. In addition, it is recognised that the Garda will require and receive support from the NTA in targeting and co-ordinating aspects of enforcement activity. It will also require support from other agencies.

 There has been very good co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the NTA on enforcement issues this year and a substantial number of joint operations have been undertaken. The NTA is currently drafting an enforcement plan for 2013 which will be co-ordinated with the Garda Síochána's policing plan for 2013. This will assist with continued co-operation during 2013.

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