Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The taxi regulation review report 2011 which was adopted by the Government contains a recommendation regarding the introduction of a local area hackney licence for rural locations meeting certain criteria. The objective of the licence is to facilitate low cost entry to the hackney market for transport provision in rural areas that, otherwise, would be unlikely to have such services. The report anticipates that the licence would have the following features: the area of operation would be limited; the need for a licence would have to be validated by a local community or business organisation; low entry cost for operators; drivers would have to be resident in the area in respect of which the need for the service has been identified and there would be no requirement to sit area knowledge tests; and the driver would not be allowed to ply for hire on public roads or at taxi ranks. However, the establishment of an approved "hackney stand" in an off-street area would be permissible.

In accordance with the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, it is a matter for the NTA to make regulatory provision for the grant of a local area hackney licence. I understand the NTA is considering the matter in consultation with the taxi advisory committee which includes representatives of the taxi and hackney industry. Matters such as those raised by the Deputy are still part of the discussions with industry representatives and no firm decision has been taken.

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