Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 1 to section 2 provides for a more precise definition of "dispatch operator" who is involved in booking and dispatching taxis. This definition distinguishes services provided by a "dispatch operator" from other similar services, such as marshalling taxis in a public place, for which a licence under NTA regulations is not required.

Government amendment No. 36 to section 19 provides for prohibition on acting without a licence as a dispatch operator or as a booking service provider for services requiring a licence under regulations made by the NTA.

I cannot agree to amendment No. 37 to section 19 which seeks the deletion of subsections (7) and (8). Subsection (7) prohibits a person from acting as a dispatch operator or providing booking services for small public services vehicles where a licence is required and subsection (8) creates an offence in this regard.

This prohibition and offence will enable the NTA to enforce effectively the regulation concerning the licensed operation of these services.