Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I do not wish to drift into a debate on everything related to the taxi industry. Taxis are allowed to use bus lanes and that should not be changed. Ensuring drivers are using the lanes legitimately is a larger enforcement issue.

Deputies will accept I must work within the legal frameworks of the State and I must accept the advice I receive. I have gone as far as I can on this issue. I have gone a long way and pushed it as far as I can. I accept the spirit of Deputies' comments. With regard to part-time drivers cherry-picking work and coming in and out of the industry to make a few bob during a high volume weekend to travel to watch Manchester United and so on, the issue is ensuring the regulations and their enforcement ensure greater professionalism in order that if people want to be in the industry, they will have to do everything right. Cherry-picking work and jumping in and out will not be an option. This will happen over time. That is the way to deal with those who do not put the investment into the industry.

The rural issue is legitimate and I accept what Deputy Boyd Barrett said but to define an amendment as he proposes would be tricky, difficult and almost impossible.

With regard to the hours worked by drivers, we will examine safety regulations in the future to see how they can be amended. I will give that commitment to the House. We examined them previously to see how they could be amended.

The case of the driver who charged €56 is unacceptable. A process now exists whereby the occupant of the car could complain and under the terms of the Bill the driver's licence could be suspended for three months.

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