Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response and accept his bona fides on the initiatives for rural Ireland. He is correct that there is a deficit, but whatever measures are introduced, it is important, as articulated, that they do not undermine those providing services in provincial towns. I know it is a fine line and that it is a very difficult call. The Minister of State could end up with a significant problem, but in fairness to him, he is conscious of the issue. I hope any rural initiative will be designed in such a way that it will not undermine existing taxi services in provincial towns. If a system is put in place and all of a sudden an ill-considered approach is taken by the regulator which overnight would make it unviable to operate taxis in some provincial towns, we could have market failure again. There is a concern among taxi drivers in some of the smaller towns that their voice is not being heard to the same extent as that of the industry as a whole. I ask the Minister of State to make provision in the legislation in this regard. I accept the point he made and will not press the amendment, but I ask for consideration to be given to this issue at this stage or in the future.

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