Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I believe I accidentally answered this on the previous amendment. I cannot agree to this amendment. The existing paragraph (b) in section 8(1), to which the amendment refers, relates to a regulation concerning the assessment of area knowledge of a licence applicant with regard to the area in respect of which the licence is being sought. Section 8 of the Bill provides for the NTA to make regulations concerning the assessment of applications for licence, including the person's suitability to hold the licence; knowledge of geography etc. in the area of the licence; knowledge and ability to meet the needs of passengers, including people with disability or reduced mobility; and knowledge of the SPSV regulations and standards and requirements for SPSV driving and operation. Standards set already by regulations, including the area knowledge tests, which were made up under section 34 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, are saved for the purpose of this section.

I would like to refer to Senator Barrett's previous comments which implied there was an attempt by the NTA or, indeed, under this legislation to return to area-based licensing control as operated in the past under the responsibility of the local authorities. It is wrong to compare a regulatory standard for drivers to have knowledge of the area of SPSV operation with the licensing system prior to liberalisation, whereby the number of licences issued to local authority areas was, in effect, controlled by the local authority.

The real issue is that we cannot have a situation where we are relying on technology. While I come from a technological and IT background, as I said previously, we must have the regulations and legislation as set out to ensure a consistent approach. I do not consider that a reliance on technology would be acceptable despite the fact the accuracy of such technology is improving all the time.