Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 9, subsection (2), between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following new paragraphs:

"(i) to establish a 24 hour free phone line to report complaints,

(j) to introduce a central taxi monitoring and booking system with a single taxi contact phone number and electronic identification of the nearest available taxi,".

My amendment is simple. Section 9 sets out the principal functions of the commission. Will the Minister ensure these powers include the 24 hour free telephone line to report complaints? This may exist in theory but it is not practice. I am also seeking that identification be clearly visible both inside and outside the vehicle. At present it is difficult to see the identification cards on dashboards in most taxis. A case could be made to have the identification card on the back seat of the taxi where most people on their own travel.

There is also the issue of centralised taxi monitoring and a booking system to avoid the scenario of people having to wait for hours. At present we do not know whether a taxi firm has 100 or ten taxis. We do not know how many are occupied, where they are, if one is readily available to collect a person or if the taxi has to finish another run first. I ask the Minister to consider the amendment and to accept it.