Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak to the Bill, which repeals and replaces the 2003 Act. Under the legislation, people with certain convictions will be precluded from obtaining a public service vehicle licence. The Bill also introduces a demerit or penalty points system and transfers the licensing authority from the Garda Carriage Office to the National Transport Authority. It also makes provision for service agreements for the enforcement of the regulations.

Before I discuss the provisions in the legislation, I wish to mention a recent proposal from the Minister of State for a rural hackney service. From the limited media reports I have seen I understand it is to be introduced by December and will be administered through the rural transport companies. I believe there will be restrictions on the areas in which the hackneys can operate. Today I searched for some time on the Department's website and the NTA's website and I could find no details of it - I could not even find details of an announcement of it.

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