Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill's contents very much. The taxi industry has gone through various stages of turmoil and taxi drivers continue to face a great deal of problems. While I do not take a black and white attitude to deregulation, what has happened as a result of the changes by a previous Administration is proof that deregulation does not always work. It may be argued that some facets of it were good for consumers, but overall the deregulation that took place has been a disaster and is to blame for the current difficulties that exist in the taxi industry.

I fully agree with many of the substantive elements of the Bill but I wish to focus on one or two matters. The oversupply of taxis is acknowledged in the Bill, and we all acknowledge it. On the more contentious issue of part-time versus full-time taxi drivers, I am very much in favour of it being an industry where full-time taxi drivers and their welfare, safety and occupation is protected. Returning to what I said earlier, deregulation led directly to many of the shortcomings in the industry. Most taxi people will tell you the end result of the deregulation that took place in the past is an industry that is very difficult for people to invest in or make a career choice of because it is unfair and unequal. Let us be frank and truthful about it, there is some activity that borders on the illegal. One of the positive aspects of this Bill is that, for the first time, it confronts that issue, and others.

When deregulation took place I strongly held the view, and it has not changed, that the Minister's Department should cease issuing taxi licences for the next 12 months so that this Bill, which is substantially very good, can be bedded down. It would be good for the industry and for those who have decided on a full-time occupation as a taxi driver. The continuation of the issuing of taxi licences is careless. It is misleading other people of various occupations, whether they have a job or are unemployed. There is no constitutional impediment on the Department to decide not to issue any taxi licences for 12 months. It is the right thing to do until we get this industry in its present form properly regulated.

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