Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their comments. I accept the thrust of the amendment as indicated previously. The regulation is in place to actualise what he is asking for. The Bill sets out the general licensing principles and the powers for the National Transport Authority to make licensing regulations. Following the recommendations of the taxi regulation review report, the NTA has already made regulations under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, which provides that the holder of an SPSV licence must be the registered owner of the vehicle concerned and have insurance for that vehicle. It is a package. Regulations also provide for full-package rental only so that it is no longer possible, since 1 January, to rent a taxi plate only. Members on all sides of the House have said that is the right thing to do. The application of these regulations is preserved under section 67 of the Bill, until such time as the NTA makes revised regulations under the provisions of this Bill following enactment. Such matters concerning the administration of the licensing system are best dealt with in secondary legislation.

Therefore, as there is adequate provision in the existing legislation and in the Bill to provide for the regulatory requirement as proposed by the Deputy, I will not make further amendment to the Bill in this regard. While I accept the thrust of the point he is making, it is already provided for and I am happy it is adequately provided for.

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