Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I disagree with that attitude. Making complaints is a vital element in creating a good customer service because it is only a small number in the industry who are guilty of scalping customers. A similarly small number are abusive to their customers. It is wrong that the whole industry should suffer because of them. It is right that those responsible should be made to face the consequences of their actions. The first responsibility, however, is on customers to complain.

The Minister indicated, correctly, that he would resist calls for the removal of section 40 of the Bill which refers not only to the responsibilities of taxi drivers but also those of customers. We all accept that the primary reason for the Bill is to address the issue of the delivery of services but the Bill is not blind to the fact that there could be problems with clients, too. To exclude a provision such as section 40, which deals with the duties of customers – already provided for in other public service regulations – would be inappropriate, given the fact that the Bill establishes a legislative basis for the deployment of high standards for drivers and licence holders alike. It is appropriate that there should be a way of dealing with recalcitrant or difficult customers. In the Dáil debate, for example, concerns about drunken customers were raised. Senator Brady touched on the same issue. The drivers of such vehicles have and will continue to have the right to refuse access in certain circumstances. Like some Senators, I would not like to see a bullet-proof screen between driver and customer. That would be unsatisfactory on both sides.

The role of local authorities in the new Bill should be mentioned. The Minister for Transport, in his opening address in the other House, said that local authorities would continue, in the immediate term, to act as licensing authorities and to exercise their other roles under the public service vehicle regulations. When the relevant sections are commenced local authorities will continue to be consulted on the provision or amendment of taxi meter areas or maximum fare structures for taxis. There is still an involvement for local government, which I welcome.