Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

The Bill is a welcome measure and marks a new beginning for the control of our taxi, hackney and limousine services. Thanks to the actions of the previous Government, and in particular those of the former Minister of State, Bobby Molloy, in pursuing this issue to ensure that more taxis are operating, the industry has grown considerably. Over 11,000 taxis are now plying their trade in Dublin, compared to 3,000 or 4,000 before deregulation. The industry has continued to attract people to work in it, despite the negative publicity generated by the taxi sector itself and the fact that it has not tailored its services to consumer needs.

The Minister said that this is not a time to have a go at the taxi industry but when one considers the need for public transport services in Dublin, the sector certainly has a huge market. I have never heard taxi industry representatives outlining how they would go about servicing consumer needs or increasing market share. Prior to deregulation, the taxi market was controlled by limiting the number of new entrants as well as the value of the market, not to the consumer but to the service providers. The Bill will ensure that consumers will be in control through a proper complaints procedure, regulation of behaviour, dress code, training and type of cars. All those aspects will be examined by the commission.

Under the old legislation, Fingal County Council, of which I was a member, was unable to regulate the taxi market. I hope the taxi industry will realise that as a result of the enactment of this Bill, it will be better regulated and examined than heretofore and that consumers will have some measure of redress.

I hope we will now see an end to taxi protests from Phoenix Park along the quays to Leinster House. The taxi industry should market itself properly and take pride in the service it provides. There are now more people entering the industry than ever before, the great majority of whom are new, first-time entrants who are proud of establishing their own small businesses. Such self-employed business people do not want anything to do with the small numbers of taxi drivers who are currently agitating against change.

Senator Browne seemed to speak about the past.