Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I wish to raise a matter I encounter almost every day as I make my way to this House from my home. I take a route which brings me onto O'Connell Street via Cathal Brugha Street and as I turn left onto O'Connell Street, a taxi rank is located on my right hand side. I constantly find that taxi drivers have stopped there with hazard lights flashing, thereby blocking traffic on the street and forcing regular motorists to break the law and to enter the bus lane. Senator Norris lives in the area and may verify this but it appears as though a two-tier system of queueing is in place, whereby one taxi from the middle pulls out and allows out another taxi, which has been stopped, to get into that line. It appears as though some drivers are not considered to be part of the club and I believe that bullying is taking place there on behalf of that club. The effect on the main street of our capital city is disgraceful and is forcing ordinary motorists to break the law. I do not know how this can be allowed to continue.

I have raised the matter with the Garda Síochána and with Dublin City Council, which may be in a position to put in place some barriers to prevent this practice from taking place. However, Dublin City Council has refused to do so and has stated this is a matter for the Garda Síochána. The Garda has stated that it cannot take action because it does not have sufficient resources. I call on the Leader to bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Transport, who may raise it with the taxi regulator, and with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, in order that he can bring it to the attention of the Garda to ascertain whether something can be done in this regard. This is taking place on the main street of our capital city and is a disgrace.