Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I support the Bill in general and the need for regulation. This should have been done when moves were made to deregulate the taxi business. I agree with Senator Wilson on the need for structure and regulations. It should be pointed out that the initial Progressive Democrats-driven action, which was supported by Fianna Fáil, was designed to take these away. That was wrong. There was nothing amiss with opening up the taxi business; it was a good development. However, the way in which it was done was wrong. This Bill is a recognition of that fact, in effect, and of the need for structures and regulations. Having said that, I welcome that it is finally being brought forward.

I will mention a couple of issues that were raised by my Labour Party colleagues in the Dáil yesterday. Deputy Shortall put down a number of amendments which highlighted issues such as hardship. She proposed that one of the commission's functions should be to recommend to the Minister certain steps that could be taken in respect of those who are experiencing hardship as a result of deregulation. She argued that the payment structures of the taxi hardship panels should be reviewed. I support these proposals. Taxi deregulation caused great hardship for many taxi drivers and their families, particularly widows. Drivers who suffered from illness and had to employ other people to drive their taxis suffered a sudden loss of livelihood. The value of their investments, which were made in good faith in a regulated environment, was wiped out.

My colleagues did not propose that hardship payments should be put back in any sense, but rather that interim payments should be made. They said that provision should be made in the legislation to facilitate a review of the issue. That would be good. There is no doubt that the extent of the payments that are to be made is inadequate. It is important that payments are made as quickly as possible, but the levels suggested are not satisfactory in the context of the losses incurred by some taxi drivers and their families. I hope that the Seanad will examine the proposals made by my colleagues in the Dáil. There should be an ongoing review of the hardship suffered by some taxi drivers.

The Minister accepted some amendments which followed the interventions of Deputies, including some of my colleagues. One such amendment related to promoting the accessibility of taxi vehicles. I welcome the fact that the Minister took the suggestions on board. However, more needs to be done in respect of accessibility. My colleague suggested that tax breaks be awarded to those who have accessible vehicles, which is a good idea.

I was hoping to make a general point in the presence of the Minister. There was a big fanfare when the taxi industry was deregulated. It was flagged as part of the solution to public transport problems, but I said at the time that it was a smokescreen. I realise that there was value in opening up the taxi industry, but much more important traffic and public transport issues have a knock-on effect for taxi drivers in terms of congestion.