Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is welcome and so is this Bill. I would like to see some changes in it, particularly in regard to quantitative control, as referred to by Senator Barrett, as opposed to quality control. Twenty years ago I brought a group of some 1,500 visitors to Ireland for a big conference, everyone staying in five-star bedrooms. Those who came to plan it some months ahead of time could not get a taxi from their restaurant to where they were staying. They were told it would take three or four hours because the queues were so long. We nearly lost that conference that day. It is very important that whatever controls we implement concentrate on quality rather than quantity.

There is a necessity to have a knowledge test. The city of Hull has a population of 250,000. From April its taxi drivers must pass a six week course before they can get a taxi licence. The course will entail them knowing that city back to front. Dublin is much bigger but I am sure that a six-week course that insisted every taxi driver should know the city would solve of the problems Senator Norris has mentioned.

Can the Minister of State tell me what the rules are about having to have a first aid kit and fluorescent jackets in every taxi in order to ensure that if there is an accident passengers will be safe? If we do not have such rules we should have because these are the sort of measures that would be of benefit. This Bill is most welcome but let us see if we can improve it.