John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In essence, I welcome the Bill. In 2003, the taxi sector was deregulated. In terms of how this was done, it was an abject and total failure. I accept that at the time there were too few taxis in some areas, particularly Dublin. However, this was not relevant to other parts of the country, particularly rural areas. Under the new system anybody who wanted to could apply for a taxi licence. Most of those who applied for a licence were unemployed. The introduction of deregulation led to conflict between local authorities. For example, there were so many taxis in Waterford and in other areas the number of ranks available was insufficient.

This and a lack of sufficient parking for taxis gave rise to conflict between taxi drivers and the Garda and local authorities.

Deregulation was a grave error and was introduced for two reasons. The reason cited by the Government at the time was to address a shortage of taxis in some areas. I suspect, however, that another reason was to reduce the number of people drawing unemployment benefit by encouraging people to acquire a taxi licence. Deregulation has resulted in a large number of taxi drivers being unable to earn a regular or decent income. This had a twofold impact. First, a taxi driver who decides to leave the taxi industry because the job is not working out will find it extremely difficult to obtain social welfare benefits because taxi drivers are self-employed. This is unfair. Second, it led to people on unemployment benefit entering the taxi industry to bolster their income. Given that they were acting illegally to some degree, this created conflict. The result has been that we have too many taxis on the roads and many taxi drivers are unable to make a decent living. This issue should have been addressed because it has done considerable damage to the perception of the taxi industry.

I stand open to correction but I understand it is possible to purchase a taxi licence through the DoneDeal.iewebsite. While I understand this issue is being addressed in the Bill, it is beyond me that this position was allowed to continue for so long. I accept, however, that the problem precedes the election of the current Government. Taxi drivers generally support my view that all licensing should be processed through the Taxi Regulator.

Deputy Pringle and I have spoken to representatives of taxi drivers. They would like a retirement age to apply to taxi drivers, as is the case in other industries, and an arrangement to be made so that in cases where drivers are unable to work due to a long-term illness, their taxi plate would be returned to the regulator. No such legislative provision is in place. I have met taxi drivers who have been unable to work due to long-term illness but still have their taxi licences. Perhaps their licences should be automatically returned to the regulator. I believe the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation would accept such a measure.

I return to the decision to deregulate the taxi industry. The large increase in the numbers of taxi drivers has meant that taxi ranks have become a dreadful problem nationwide. In Waterford, Kilkenny and similar towns, taxis are found all over the place. One cannot blame the drivers for the problem and we need to discuss with the relevant planning authorities what they propose to do to address it. If some form of stay is not imposed on the issuing of new licences and people continue to be granted licences provided they meet certain conditions, the problem will quadruple in the coming years. An accurate assessment must be made of the number of people who hold taxi licences versus demand for taxis in various areas. For example, should the same ratio of taxi drivers to population apply in Dublin as in relatively small towns, such as Kilmac, County Waterford. Such an assessment would prevent much of the conflict that is taking place in the taxi industry. Before travelling to Dublin earlier this week, I spoke to gardaí in Waterford who deal with taxis. They informed me that while they do not want conflict with taxi drivers, there are constant problems because many drivers park illegally as they try to get as close as possible to full ranks.

While I not have a problem with the Bill in general, given the volatility associated with the taxi industry and problems with how the system operates, it will be necessary to maintain ongoing contact with the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation.

Taxi drivers agree with me on the need to ensure passengers are automatically provided with receipts and that receipts are monitored. I take a taxi occasionally and I am only sometimes given a receipt. In most other countries in Europe receipts are provided automatically. A system must be put in place that ensures punters believe they are getting a fair deal. While taxi passengers generally do get a fair deal, people purchasing goods or services in shops are entitled to a receipt. It should also be mandatory to provide a receipt in the taxi industry, although I am not certain how any such requirement would be monitored. The issuing of receipts would prevent disputes between taxi drivers and their customers. How often has one heard someone say he or she was ripped off or overcharged by a taxi driver? Many of them will not have been ripped off because much depends on traffic and so forth. I ask the Minister of State to consider this proposal, which taxi drivers support. It would be a step forward for punters if they knew they would be charged a reasonable amount for their journey and would be given a receipt that is monitored to prevent overcharging.

The Minister of State will be aware of the volatility of the taxi industry which had given rise to taxi disputes all over the country. We need to keep in contact with the various representative organisations, of which I understand there are two, although there may be several unofficial organisations. They are making an effort to unionise the industry and ensure it offers a decent service to customers. They know it is in their long-term benefit to achieve these objectives but they need assistance. Taxi drivers need to be treated as other workers in industry are treated. They require reasonable rates of pay and must be able to retire. Many of them are earning wages that are far below the minimum wage but cannot sign on for social welfare benefits because they are self-employed.

I understand there are 25,000 taxi drivers. This is a significant number of people who are generating money for the economy, providing a service and paying tax and PRSI. If any other industry was employing 25,000 people, we would ensure it was regulated and monitored and those employed in it paid tax and PRSI and were paid a reasonable rate for the service they provide. This is all taxi drivers are asking. If we do this, the Exchequer, tourists and taxi users will benefit.

See this speech in context