David Norris (Independent)

While I would have liked to have spoken on the matter of employment creation yesterday, I was frustrated by the chaotic manner in which business was ordered. I understood the debate would take place much earlier than it did and it was not possible for me to speak later in the evening. For this reason, I missed an opportunity to speak about a case I encountered outside the gates where a young man from County Clare, Mr. Paul Connellan, was launching a new product. It is a biodegradable plastic bottle, which is highly significant and could have Europe-wide application. I regret I did not have an opportunity to salute the company and its Wellness brand.

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on taxi regulation, as something chaotic is also taking place. Yesterday, owing to problems with my back, I had to travel a short distance by taxi. The vehicle, a Mercedes, was in perfect mechanical order and had a beautifully maintained interior. However, the driver must sell it in a couple of months because taxi vehicles may not be ten years old or more. This rule makes a complete and utter nonsense of the national car test. If vehicles pass the NCT and are deemed by the State to be worthy and fully competent mechanically, why should they not be driven and used as public service vehicles? I do not understand this rule.

A further serious problem is that some taxi drivers - they are not Dubliners - have a serious difficulty in negotiating their way around the capital because they simply do not know the basics of the street network. The knowledge requirement appears to be patchily applied. I, therefore, call for a debate on taxi regulation.