Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have heard stories of the invaluable contribution taxi drivers make in big cities and towns. There is no denying the importance of this aspect of this issue. I want to focus on another aspect of how taxi drivers are an essential part of the transport infrastructure in rural constituencies such as Wexford. Rural areas do not have the luxury of relying on public transport. For many older constituents in smaller villages such as Ballindaggin, Kiltealy, Ballymurn, Clonroche, Arthurstown and Rosslare, to name but a few, it is taxi drivers who provide the only link to sporting grounds, shops, the GP and the local pub.

Taxi men and women in rural areas are the bone and sinew of our community. They break the cycle of rural isolation for many lonely people. We know their names and we know their stories. We rely on them to take us to the shops or home safely down the dark roads that cannot be walked at night. The gestures, the flying of helicopters or all the clapping in the world will not put one loaf of bread on their tables. What they ask for now is a little bit of support in return. Now is the time to help them in their hour of need.

The motion calls for a financial assistance package to help ordinary hard-working taxi drivers to get back to work and to allow them to continue to provide the essential link in the mobility chain for their communities. It asks for respectful engagement with drivers and their representatives and for their constructive proposals be taken on board. It calls for a temporary moratorium on the issuing of new taxi licences during the pandemic. It asks that we permit for the length of the pandemic a two-year extension for vehicles that would normally have to be replaced as a result of the nine-year rule, providing such vehicles are safe and roadworthy. It asks for a new approach to be taken on engagement with and oversight of the industry and for a stringent review of the taxi advisory committee.

These are not insurmountable requests. They are moderate in nature asking only for what is needed to survive. I, for one, value the contribution made by taxi drivers keeping tight-knit local communities, villages and cities connected. We should act now to give them the support they deserve. It is my belief that every Deputy, particularly those from Wexford, should have no problem in supporting the motion.

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