Written answers

Tuesday, 7 March 2006

Department of Transport

Taxi Regulations

11:00 pm

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied with the progress in introducing quality standards into the taxi industry; and when he envisages the commencement and full operation of section 36 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. [9179/06]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Commission for Taxi Regulation is the independent body responsible for the development and maintenance of a new regulatory framework for the control and operation of small public service vehicles, including taxis, and their drivers, under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003.

In 2005 the commission initiated a national review to assess the extent and quality of services provided by small public service vehicles and subsequently published Roadmap — Towards a new national code of regulation for taxis, hackneys and limousines in Ireland which set out the areas where change is required along with the commission's proposed solutions. Submissions were invited on the Roadmap by 26 September 2005 following which the preparation of new regulations commenced. The commission has also taken over the power to declare or alter taximeter areas and to fix maximum taxi fares from local authorities and invited submissions on consultation paper No. 3, taximeter areas and taxi fares by 19 December 2005.

I am satisfied with the progress made by the commission since its establishment in September 2004. I note that the commission today launched a detailed action plan, which outlines proposed changes to regulations and other structures. The latter are focused on improving standards generally.

With regard to the commencement of section 36 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, as amended by section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 2004, which provides for a system of automatic disqualification from applying for or holding a small public service vehicle driver or vehicle licence in respect of persons who have been convicted of one of a range of very serious offences, including murder, manslaughter and various sexual, drug trafficking and other offences. This requires further consultation with licensing authorities, the Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, among others, to ensure that the appropriate arrangements for implementation are in place. Specific legal advice on a number of issues surrounding the practical application of the section has been sought from the Office of the Attorney General. It will be necessary to give an appropriate period of advance notice of the proposed commencement of the section to allow persons who may be affected by the provisions, in particular existing licence holders, to clarify their position with the courts. Commencement of the section will be considered, in consultation with the Commission for Taxi Regulation, when the legal and administrative issues have been resolved.

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