Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to second the amendment. Amendments Nos. 17 and 22 strengthen our ability to introduce competition in the area. Since having taken an interest in this, I am amazed at any movement to go back to where we were in the past. The Minister of State may shake his head but that seems to be what we are doing here. When I was in the grocery business, I would have loved to see a grocery Bill applying the same measures. It would have placed limits on those who could open grocery shops and would have taken into account whether one would be viable. That was done in Holland, because of the influence of grocers, when one needed a licence to open a shop. It ended up in the most outrageous situation where there was a limited number of grocery shops, with one in each town or area. The cost of food increased and the service was outrageously bad. The amendments tabled by Senator Barrett will protect the customer, the citizen and the Irish economy. The amendment provides that, in making regulation under this section, the authority shall not take into consideration the short-term or long-term economic viability of the licence applicant or the short-term or long-term economic viability of any other licence holder. It makes sense. The measure in the Bill is exactly what the union or body representing the taxi drivers would love to see but it does not make sense for the citizens, the taxpayer and for our economy. I urge the Minister of State to accept the amendment.