Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I rise to support this amendment, or more specifically, the spirit of the amendment. It is vitally important that in our efforts to regulate the industry in a fair and consistent manner we do not forget about providing for those with disabilities and ensuring there is adequate provision of suitably adapted vehicles to meet their needs. That issue was taken into consideration previously when the only licences that were issued were to those drivers who had wheelchair-accessible vehicles. That was a provision that facilitated individuals in becoming licensed taxi operators. However, I have certainly seen a reduction in the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles on the road and that has also been reported to me by various disability groups. Notwithstanding that, it is outrageous that some charitable organisations are misusing legislative provisions to establish a service providing transportation for the disabled, seeking State support to do that and then plying their wares, so to speak, in direct competition with taxis. However, the provisions of this legislation would, in my view, automatically preclude them for doing that. It is probably an enforcement issue rather than a legislative one. That said, it is important to highlight the matter because a number of taxi drivers have raised this issue with me. It is my view that in the legislation as it is currently drafted the provision to deal with this is already there but it will have to be enforced in a very real way. Otherwise, what this Bill is trying to achieve will be damaged.

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