Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 11, subsection (4), lines 37 and 38, to delete paragraphs (b) and (c)

The amendment seeks to delete sections 7(4)(b) and 7(4)(c). The authority in making regulations under these subsections may set different requirements on conditions for different circumstances and different areas of the State. The High Court applies in all areas of the State and it deregulated the sector. Why is the Government seeking different regulations in different areas of State? It is a unitary country and I cannot understand why one would wish to partition it again, as this section proposes. The High Court's jurisdiction operates in all 26 counties. Allowing a quango to decide what are the different circumstances is an attempt again to reintroduce quantity licensing through the back door and I have heard no case mentioned as to why that should be necessary. The reintroduction of area licensing would be utterly contradictory to a High Court decision, which has been shown to have generated ¤780 million in time saving benefits per annum by Goodbodys Economic Consultants and ¤250 million in job creation according to IDA estimates. I do not know why any State body should seek to undermine that by saying it wants different rules in different areas of the State.

When taxies were controlled by local authorities, we made it a national issue because some local authorities were stingier than others in allowing new entrants. According to the affidavits and the legislation arising from deregulation, the highest price for taxi licences were in Ennis where American tourists were brought to Shannon Airport and Killarney while Dublin prices were high as well. Why is the Minister of State returning to area licensing without even the slightest discussion of why we would wish to set aside a High Court decision in this regard yet again?

National regulations were decided upon and implemented by the Commission on Taxi Regulation. Area licensing could only be introduced on foot of a long discussion and not through a subsection such as this. I would take a great deal of convincing that there is a case for its reintroduction. It was abolished for good reasons, one of which was to ensure a greater supply of taxis in areas where local authorities had driven up the rental value of taxi plates. There will always be pressure from those who hold the licences to restrict entry, which would make the licences more valuable. Revisiting this under area licensing contradicts what the Minister of State has said throughout the debate. I do not know why this provision is included and I am trying to get it taken out. I look forward to what he has to say on the virtues, which seem to be small, of area licensing of the taxi sector.