Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Sherlock. As previously stated, the NTA, as independent regulator for the SPSV sector, sets the standards and requirements for the sector which include rules about vehicle standards and vehicle age limits. For safety, emissions and quality reasons, standard taxis and hackneys must be less than ten years old to operate. Once a vehicle reaches its maximum permissible age, the licence holder may not apply to the NTA for the renewal of a licence with that vehicle and a younger replacement vehicle must be procured.

From 1 Jan 2028, the maximum permissible age requirements for taxis and hackneys will return to the original requirements, that is, ten years for taxis and hackneys and 15 years for wheelchair-accessible taxi and hackneys. The legacy age rules, which concern vehicles associated with SPSV licences before the introduction of the taxi (small public service vehicles) regulations 2015, will also have ceased to have effect by this date. It was an emergency measure at the time.

As the instigating factors around vehicle supply that resulted in the time-limited amendments to vehicle maximum permissible age are no longer present, the independent regulator for the SPSV sector, the NTA, does not anticipate introducing any further amendments to the maximum permissible age of SPSVs.

I thank the Senator for the opportunity to discuss this matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan. I assure her that her questions have been heard. I will convey her points on this issue to the Minister.