Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I support Senator Ryan's amendment. Senator Ryan made reference to the bad old times and none of us wants to see a return to that time, nor would this amendment lead to a return to that. I refer to times when there was clearly an under supply of taxis, particularly in Dublin but also around the country. No one can defend that but this does not aim to return to this. Now we have the opposite situation, with an enormous oversupply of taxis, as anyone can see from walking around St. Stephen's Green. There is a great deal of disquiet about this, not only among taxi drivers and their families. It does not serve any purpose and is not particularly favourable to the consumer. Once there are enough taxis so that people have a choice of taxis, it is unlike other areas where increased competition drives down prices. That is not the issue here because taxi fares are regulated. Consumers do not see a reduction in fares they pay for taxis because there are more taxis on the streets. It is of no benefit to consumer to have masses of taxis queueing around St. Stephen's Green everyday. This shows the difference between taxi supply and other areas. I can anticipate a comparison may be made with retail trade-----