Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy and many others have raised this issue with me. There is market failure in rural areas as regards services and the provisions introduced through the legislation. The NTA regulations need to ensure an appropriate service in rural areas where there is market failure. I understand the Deputy's concerns and the NTA is going through a process with the taxi advisory committee to address them.

We are trying to ensure that services are provided in isolated rural areas for many of the reasons Members have raised with me and the Ministers responsible for other areas. It is critically important that that happens. I accept what the Deputy said about ensuring there is proper enforcement of the new rural hackney licence system. Given the provisions I included in the legislation, I am confident I can increase the level of enforcement.

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