Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of the chronic shortage of taxis available in many towns and villages throughout the country. I welcome the fact that a new coalition of groups have come together to try to address and highlight this issue. A number of taxi organisations, the hospitality sector, the vintners association and also industry in general have come together to try to shine a light on this chronic problem. I understand this group recently wrote to An Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Ryan, on this issue as well.

It is an important issue for many villages and towns throughout the country, particularly in rural Ireland, where it is affecting the night-time economy of those areas. People who wish to go for a night out, for a meal in a local restaurant or to the local pub would love to do so but the problem is that when they do go out, they have no way of getting home. In many cases, they can wait hours. If they are lucky, they may get a taxi. However, in many other instances, people end up with no taxi and have to call somebody to try to get a lift home or, alternatively, end up having to walk home, which is dangerous in the hours of darkness.It is an issue that needs to be addressed. I welcome the fact that this new coalition group has come together to try to address it. If Members are in agreement, I ask the Leader, on behalf of the House, that we, too, write to the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to highlight this issue and that we arrange a debate when we come back after Christmas. It is important that people go out to socialise, that they go out and meet people at night-time. It has a positive effect on the economy. I would like to ensure that if people do decide to go out, there will be a taxi available to them whenever they decide to head home.