Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I welcome the decision by the Minister for Transport regarding the appointment of a national regulator of the taxi industry. Deregulation was a good idea in concept but did not work in practice. As Senator Norris pointed out, it has led to a situation where 1,500 current taxi drivers have a criminal record. The decision by the Minister is welcome but the matter should be debated properly in the House before he rushes into it. He plans to appoint the regulator in February and it would be beneficial if that were debated. Deregulation was rushed into by the last Government and we have paid a price for that.

It is a disgrace that taxi drivers are planning a dispute today despite meeting the Minister at 10.30 a.m. Considering the discomfort and chaos the citizens of Dublin suffered last week during the floods, the House should condemn taxi drivers for their action.