Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On my way into the House this morning I saw taxi drivers protesting. There is an over-supply of taxis in the city. That goes with a slump in the economy but there is a short-term problem. When there is an improvement in the economy, more taxis will be needed, but in the short term, something needs to be done. There is a huge lack of parking spaces in the city as almost all of the areas that were available for free parking after 7 p.m.are now being used by taxis. It is an issue we need to discuss with the Minister in the House to ascertain if something can be done. When I drive around the city at night I see taxis parked in all sorts of places and it is dangerous. Gardaí do their best to patrol it but this is an issue we could usefully discuss.

I support the call regarding the Listowel Races. It is a race festival that I have been lucky enough to attend on a few occasions. It is a fabulous, down to earth festival which differs from others that are more fashionable. The local economy needs this festival. It is the likes of this festival that keeps the economies of towns like Listowel and those of other rural areas going. A previous Senator called for a debate on the horseracing industry and that debate would also be useful.