Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Roche, who is a man with great legislative experience. He also knows a lot about taxis as he has travelled the length and breadth of Europe in them.

The Bill is both excellent and timely. I do not understand the reason taxi drivers took to the streets a few weeks ago knowing that this Bill was at such an advanced stage of preparation, and in view of the Minister's willingness to bring it forward. As far as I am aware, it will be passed before the end of this term. It will allow for the establishment of the Commission for Taxi Regulation and the office of a taxi regulator, all of which is required. This is not before time, bearing in mind that the number of taxis has increased to 12,000. He related his father's story concerning a very difficult time for the family in that regard.

I wish to refer an aspect on which I know the Minister is working and which may not be a matter for detailed provision in the Bill. There is a need for consistency in respect of vehicles used in the taxi industry in Dublin and other cities. Each city should have its own distinctive taxi colour and style, with one consistent type of car for taxi service. We should get rid of the current cheap, shoddy roof racks, displaying the word "Taxi" and the licence number, which are like what one would expect to see in a Third World country. By contrast, the quality of London taxis or New York yellow cabs is a clear reflection of the use of a distinctive type of car. From now on, the Irish regulations should specify a consistent quality of car, including its colour, the signage to be used and indicating whether it is licensed to pick up passengers en route.

Senators Brady and Henry mentioned the issue of security for drivers of taxis and hackneys. I recall a tragic situation in Galway, where a woman taxi driver was brutally murdered. Nobody has yet been charged for that savage crime, which was a frightening experience for everybody in the industry.

Taxi drivers are generally most informative. The "Gabby Cabby" from New York can be heard frequently on the RTE radio programme, "Today with Pat Kenny". There is no better way to keep abreast of what is happening in the country than to take a Dublin taxi. Taxi drivers are very informative as to what is wrong, or right, with the Government. Any Government Minister who wishes to find out what is happening on the ground would be well advised to take a taxi. The taxi driver will have no hesitation in setting out the situation.