David Norris (Independent)

What is the taxi regulator doing? Yesterday I hailed three taxis in quick succession. I was trying to make an emergency appointment with my dentist but none of the taxi drivers had any idea where Synge Street was located. In London, every taxi driver has to pass a test of local knowledge. This cuts across any kind of prejudice because I have had good taxi drivers from various ethnic and linguistic backgrounds and I am not bothered by that. I would like to see decent taxi regulations.

I would also like the regulator to observe the law of the land. The national car test should be honoured. It is ridiculous in this day and age to force people to get rid of perfectly good and mechanically appropriate vehicles simply because they are nine years old. Taxi drivers are under such pressure that 40 suicides have occurred among them.

As there is general consensus on bonuses and junkets, it is a waste of time for me to say any more about them. Instead I ask the Deputy Leader to inquire into the proposed 116000 telephone number for missing children. This is an EU initiative to which 13 European countries have already signed up but Ireland has not yet done so. The deadline is 25 May 2011, which is international missing children's day. Senator O'Toole and I have raised the issue previously on foot of urgent appeals from a man whose sister has been missing for number of years. The reason for our failure to implement the number appears to be because it has to be operated on a 24-hour basis, requires a high level of understanding by professional trained people and gives rise to cost implications. The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has made a formal application to the Government on the matter. It raises 90% of its funds and only receives 10% from statutory sources. It is being stymied because of a lack of funds. It is disgraceful that a small amount of money cannot be made available to assist the relatives of missing children and perhaps to find these children. I urge the Deputy Leader to ensure we live up to our obligation by the deadline of next May.