Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will review the appointments to the Taxi Review Steering Group to ensure fair representation for all stakeholders. [19189/11]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I do not propose to review the composition of the steering group for the taxi regulation review. In my announcements of 8 June and 24 June respectively I have clarified the terms of reference for the review and the membership of the review steering group in line with the commitment in the programme for Government. The review will provide a basis for the necessary further reforms of the sector to allow consumers to have confidence in the taxi system while ensuring that legitimate and competent operators and drivers can be rewarded fairly by operating under a regulatory framework that is adequately enforced. It will address a wide range of issues relating to the taxi sector, including the current regulatory policy and practices, licensing systems, enforcement and future dialogue with the taxi sector.

The diverse membership of the review steering group will allow an appropriate contribution from stakeholders, including dispatch operators, drivers, consumers and the regulatory and enforcement agencies. The consultation on the review extends to all interested parties and stakeholders through an invitation for written submission to be made before the end of July and further consultation opportunities will be presented from there.

Unlike the previous Government, I have spent considerable time consulting the various taxi representative groups and gave them considerable time so that I could hear their views. I met the representatives on a number of occasions. Also unlike the previous Government, I have undertaken to chair this group to demonstrate the importance Government is attaching to it. I have stated publicly on numerous occasions that I believe the taxi sector should be based around full-time owner drivers.

However, representation in the taxi sector is far too fragmented and this suits neither policymakers nor taxi drivers. If there is evidence of consolidation of taxi driver organisations into one constituted organisation, I may look at membership of the review group again.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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I am disappointed that the Minister of State has made it clear he will not review the matter. As somebody who welcomed the steering group, I see it as a very important step. Previously, there was an elitist attitude on the part of the regulator who would not meet taxi men or public representatives even though many requests were made. I ask the Minister to consider the fact that the ordinary taxi man with a single licence is not represented on this group. It appears some of those represented on it hold multiple plates. It is not fair that the ordinary taxi man with a single plate is not represented. There is scope for officials from the Department of Social Protection, the Revenue Commissioners and, possibly, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service to be represented. I urge the Minister of State to consider including them in the group, as they could make a big contribution to examining all aspects of the taxi industry. There is a good deal of anger among ordinary taxi men who hold single plates. They constitute the vast majority of taxi drivers. I, therefore, ask the Minister of State to re-examine the matter.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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There will be no elitism in the operation of the review group. I am taking on board the Deputy's comments in a very sincere way. There is somebody with multiple licences in the review group because this is one of the core issues with which we have to deal. I am absolutely determined to deal with the issues that have arisen, with which we are familiar. The process of managing, renting and hiring multiple licences, one of the reasons issues such as fraud and criminality are arising, will have to be addressed. That is why there is a requirement for someone who operates multiple licences to be in the group. Obviously, I am casting no aspersions on any individual. There is a full-time taxi driver in the group. Such drivers are represented.

I would welcome further consolidation of the representative associations. The fragmentation of the industry groups is not helpful. It is difficult to get a hold on the extent to which each association is representative. If all the figures were added up, the final figure might exceed the number of drivers in the country. I repeat what I have said previously - I will reconsider the composition of the review group if there is consolidation of the associations.

The first meeting of the review group took place yesterday and it was very successful. I was very happy with the manner in which it was dealt with. Deputy Ellis made a valid point about the Department of Social Protection and the Revenue Commissioners. I have put in place a process that will allow subgroups to work with officials from these bodies to address the issues raised by the Deputy. As chairman of the group, I am conscious that the income of drivers is an issue. I repeat that I want to ensure it is worthwhile to work in the taxi industry. That is a very important aspect of the work of the group.