Seanad debates

Thursday, 8 October 2009

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed)

 

11:00 am

Photo of Fiona O'MalleyFiona O'Malley (Progressive Democrats)

I will not disappoint Senator Bacik. I do not agree with this amendment. The minute one introduces a cap on the amount of services provided, a monopoly exists. Despite the gentle words, this would return us to the previous position. The majority of the country was glad when the taxi service was deregulated. The Minister of State has pointed out to me that there is an oversupply in many professions at the moment but taxi drivers are visible. If this amendment was to be accepted, we are in danger of going back to where we were, with people trading a limited commodity. It is not in the public interest to go back to this.

Taxi licences are now cheaper and more available and a living can be made from it. Perhaps far too many people have decided this and we must examine the situation but I do not agree with the idea of regulating the number of taxi plates. The market will flush itself out because people cannot conduct business if they are not making money. At least they did not make the massive outlay that was required years ago when taxi plates were traded like pub licences for extortionate amounts. This was completely wrong and I reject any notion of the Minister of State accepting an amendment that returns us to this scenario.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.