Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Barrett. Will the Minister of State explain why the Garda will be withdrawn in this regard? My understanding is that the taxi industry supports the retention of the Garda in an enforcement role. Indeed, the Garda has been called upon a number of times, particularly in cities, to sort out difficulties on various taxi ranks.

The other aspect of this argument is that the current enforcement structure relies on only nine enforcement officers under the Taxi Regulator's office. Some 2,552 licences must be checked by each enforcement officer, not taking geographical locations into account. I see some merit in the taxi industry's preference for the Garda to resume ownership of the enforcement regulations, thereby providing an efficient service that would cut out illegal activity. I am sure that the Minister of State will have had the same experience as Senators. Throughout all of the discussions with taxi representatives, the mantra has been "Enforcement, enforcement, enforcement". This is the industry's main issue with the Bill.