Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to introduce a new complaints procedure to address abuse or overcharging by taxi drivers; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the National Taxi Drivers Union claims it has received far more complaints than the official 425 claimed for 2004 by the Garda Carriage Office; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that procedural difficulties in lodging a complaint with the Garda is a deterrent for many persons who wish to make complaints regarding taxi drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21209/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Commissioner for Taxi Regulation is an independent regulator and, in accordance with the provisions of section 51 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, he is required to set up a procedure to consider complaints from members of the public and users and intending users of taxis, hackneys and limousines. This procedure will cover complaints in respect of the condition and cleanliness, the conduct and behaviour of a driver, overcharging or other matters relating to fares charged by a driver for the hire, and matters relating to the hiring of a small public service vehicle. I understand the regulator will publish in the coming weeks his proposals for regulating the market, which will include a formalised complaints procedure.

Information in regard to current complaints involving taxi drivers is not available in my Department and the investigation of such complaints is currently the responsibility of the Garda Síochána. I would hope that any difficulties that may be experienced in regard to the current complaints procedures will be addressed in the context of the development of new complaint procedures by the Commission for Taxi Regulation.