Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

Unfortunately, my colleagues and I omitted to table an amendment on Committee Stage but we have tabled two amendments on Report Stage, to which I wish to refer as they apply to this section. One of the amendments which was tabled in the other House last week asked that the commission would have the function of making recommendations to the Minister as to steps to be taken in respect of the position of persons who have experienced hardship by reason of the deregulation of the small public service vehicle market.

The second amendment, which was tabled by Fine Gael, sought to review the payment structure of the taxi hardship panel. This is not an issue that should be forgotten. The fact that it is omitted from the legislation means it is left to chance whether the Minister and the Government will revisit the issue of hardship payments. The EU petitions committee produced a damning report regarding the payments proposed by the hardship panel and advised the Minister to revisit the issue. I mention these amendments now in order that I may put them on Report Stage.