Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I do not intend to accept this amendment. As detailed on Committee Stage, this provision under section 20(1) of the Bill enables the NTA to make regulations concerning standards of conduct, general behaviour, deportment or dress of persons operating SPSVs. This is a restatement and clarification of the existing provision under section 34(6) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, providing that the authority can specify conditions and requirements for SPSV drivers in regard to their dress code. Regulations made in this area can only improve and promote the standards of professionalism in the industry. As with all of the powers conferred on the NTA, it is incumbent on it to ensure that these powers are exercised in a reasonable manner. I assure the Deputy that this in no way means that the NTA is going to start telling taxi drivers that they must wear a certain uniform.

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