Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. He will be aware that the response from the taxi industry and the representative bodies has not been welcoming of what has been announced. It is not enough. The NTA has stated that SPSV drivers have €11,500 in fixed costs per year so we need a support for that. The extension of vehicle age limits must go beyond next year. Taxi drivers must be able to plan for the next three, four or five years in order to recover from this. The moratorium on taxi licences is another ask they had which would have zero cost to the State. They also want a guarantee of the continued use of quality bus corridors, which I believe is something the Minister has verbally supported them on. They also want reform or disbandment of the Taxi Advisory Council. I am in favour of reform such that the council works more effectively.

On the PUP, it must be remembered that there are a number of taxi drivers who are older and thus not entitled to the payment. They have not been able to avail of it and are outside that support mechanism.

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