Results 20,261-20,280 of 21,489 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: Nenagh has a fine hospital.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: It is not just about the drivers; it is about the vehicles as well.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: The specification states that the taxi should have the capacity for a wheelchair plus three people. There needs to be some flexibility in this regard. It is not just about the driver but the car as well.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I know the firm to which the Deputy refers.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I do not have the exact figure sought by Deputy Ellis but I believe it is somewhere in the region of €10 million and the money is used to defray the administrative costs of the NTA and also for regulating the taxi industry. Deputy Boyd Barrett raised an issue with me prior to the commencement of the debate on this Bill and I have already communicated the fact that this must be...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: With regard to the revocation, a licence will stand suspended for three months. Obviously, on reaching the end of the three-month period, the licence will be back in place. Insurance is a matter for the driver. I will not be getting involved in the intricacies of insurance. A driver's insurance is a matter for himself or herself. Everyone's circumstances will be different. I stress to...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: Probably not by the time I am finished with it.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: The provisions of section 12 have been considered in some depth by my Department and by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel of the Attorney General’s office. The reason for this is that the consequences of such a provision – to revoke or suspend a licence - affects a person’s ability to earn a living. Therefore the basis upon which such a decision would be taken by...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: A degree of common sense is required. The number of points is appropriate. Some groups thought it was too much. The reason the National Transport Authority responded to the letter in that manner is that it cannot be absolute prior to the Bill being passed through the House. I would not expect any other national organisation to write such a letter in a different way. The demerit system...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: Regulations.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I do not wish to drift into a debate on everything related to the taxi industry. Taxis are allowed to use bus lanes and that should not be changed. Ensuring drivers are using the lanes legitimately is a larger enforcement issue. Deputies will accept I must work within the legal frameworks of the State and I must accept the advice I receive. I have gone as far as I can on this issue. I...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy will see that they are if he reads the Bill.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: To be fair, the Deputy has acknowledged the fact the Bill is dealing with all the issues he raised. They need to be dealt with, although I will not go over our history of lax regulation. I will not look to make political points or deal with individuals who had to look after regulatory affairs. It was an absolute mess and this legislation will work hand in glove with regulations that are to...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I must take issue with the Deputy. As regards the different treatment of categories of offenders, the context for that debate in these Houses was set in the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012. It would be incongruous for me to make provision in taxi legislation in the context of the Good Friday Agreement that would override the terms of such legislation as the Criminal Justice...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy's party did not do so. There were no amendments to the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputies for their comments. I accept the thrust of the amendment as indicated previously. The regulation is in place to actualise what he is asking for. The Bill sets out the general licensing principles and the powers for the National Transport Authority to make licensing regulations. Following the recommendations of the taxi regulation review report, the NTA has already...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: Absolutely, enforcement is going to improve dramatically, as set out in the Bill. There is provision to provide for many more enforcement officers across this city and across the country. As a result, the National Transport Authority has been in the process of putting in place such a larger enforcement regime, which is necessary. Despite the massive amount of regulatory changes that I have...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I cannot accept these amendments, as the Deputy is well aware at this stage. We have been around the houses on this point, on Second Stage, on Committee Stage and on a few radio stations. These amendments seek dispensation in the Bill for those convicted of offences covered by the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. It is simply not inappropriate for me to specify such an exclusion in the...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Taxi Regulation Review Report Implementation (1 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy and many others have raised this issue with me. There is market failure in rural areas as regards services and the provisions introduced through the legislation. The NTA regulations need to ensure an appropriate service in rural areas where there is market failure. I understand the Deputy's concerns and the NTA is going through a process with the taxi advisory committee to...