Seanad debates
Friday, 27 June 2003
Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage.
When the commission is established it will have to examine a number of matters. I have sympathy with full-time taxi drivers in that a number of part-timers, who are already gainfully employed elsewhere, are working in the business. Such people put a taxi sign on their cars in the evening and tout for business on their way home. The number of people working in the taxi sector is probably phoney because it does not reflect the number of drivers who are providing a public service full-time. Consequently, the commission will have to examine the possibility of introducing a minimum number of hours during which taxis should provide a service. It is not good enough that a person who is already employed outside the taxi sector can invest €5,000 or €6,000 and then provide a limited service picking up taxi fares after work. I would be happy to see such a system being introduced.
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