Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important Bill and acknowledge the work done by the Minister of State and his officials in drafting it. The legislation fulfils a commitment made by the Government in this area and marks the most deep-rooted reform ever implemented in the regulation of taxis in Ireland. For too long, the taxi industry has been stuck in a stranglehold because of the rushed legislation introduced by Fianna Fáil in 2003, which had all the hallmarks of a knee-jerk reaction as opposed to a comprehensive overhaul.

The Bill sets out to serve both consumer and operators equally. It affords comfort and peace of mind to the consumer while recognising and rewarding legitimate professional taxi operators. Through a sequence of meaningful measures, it will ensure effective filtering and removal of the rogue element that has thrived in the industry for too long. Sanitising the taxi industry stands at the top of the Government's transport agenda.

This underscores our determination to create a new and progressive landscape in the taxi industry, an objective that will be achieved via the multi-tiered approach evident in the Bill.

Compliance and enforcement have been tackled head-on by extending the powers of the Garda and complementing these powers with increased collaboration with the National Transport Authority. This enhanced alliance will deliver effective enforcement at street level. The Bill addresses the rental aspect of the taxi industry and seeks to eliminate the criminal element by providing for a vigorous system of regulation. It will ensure the industry returns to viability and not only becomes sustainable but also offers attractive and worthwhile employment. The Bill demonstrates a similar dedication to providing consumer and industry assurance. Television programmes have sounded loud warnings, scary stories have frightened us and the documentation of defects attributed to vehicles has simultaneously unnerved and incensed us. The Bill seeks to restore consumer confidence and provide reassurance to taxi users through the introduction of a series of precautions. For example, it makes welcome provision for a smartphone app which will give customers the option of confirming whether a driver is licensed and operating within the new regulations. Should a customer encounter an unpleasant episode or endure questionable behaviour, he or she will have the option of accessing a full online complaints process. These reforms demonstrate the Government's resolve to flush out every discrepancy and iron out all incidents of non-compliance.

On driver and vehicle licensing, gaps are being identified and rectified as we seek to manage what has been mismanaged for too long. The introduction of a live data exchange between the National Transport Authority, the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection goes a long way towards securing our objectives. PPS numbers have become central to all driver and vehicle licensing data and will assist efforts to reduce and eventually eradicate fraud.

Reform in all areas is continuing. Accessibility has been addressed through a drive to establish uniformity in the industry and meet the needs of every consumer regardless of mobility. Similarly, in respect of fleet management and rental controls, the practice of renting taxi licences only has been prohibited. Anyone renting out a licence must own the car to which the licence is attached. The Bill also addresses oversupply in the taxi industry and steps have been taken to identify the measures it will be necessary to implement in this regard.

The Government recognises the need for a regulatory approach that is specific to rural areas which do not have a taxi service. We are not prepared to allow rural isolation to fester and are dedicated to addressing this problem. For this reason, I welcome the development of a specific hackney licence for rural areas.

This is comprehensive legislation that takes a multi-pronged approach to dealing with an industry that was abandoned and left to fall into ruin. The Government recognises the good and genuine people in the industry who want to make the sector work. We are with them in driving forward a structure for the industry that we can all stand over and be proud of. While weak attempts were made to tidy it up in the past, one cannot tidy up something that is dirty without first cleaning it. The clean-up has begun.

It is common to see distinctive taxi branding in other countries and I welcome attempts to create a much more professional image for our taxi industry through branding.

While the legislation fulfils a Government commitment, the motivation behind the Bill is not to keep a promise but to satisfy a strong desire to correct something that was wrong for too long.

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