Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is a crisis in the sector and I am not convinced from the Minister of State's answer that there is a full appreciation of it. I acknowledge the aspect regarding the fare increase and the weighted element in that regard, but there has been a significant exodus of drivers from the sector. It was reported just this evening that one of the taxi apps had 17,000 requests in a one-hour period over the weekend. We are hearing many stories about people, including women, waiting an inordinate time because of the lack of availability of taxis at night-time. This is going to be compounded by approximately 5,300 cars that are going to be taken off the road at the end of this year because of the ten-year rule. I raised this point before with the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. The Government needs to move on this ten-year rule.

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