Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for Transport if dialogue has occurred between his Department and the Taxi Regulator specifically regarding the issue of provision of taxi ranks; his views on whether there is a need for a joint approach to developing good quality taxi ranks in view of the fact that the taxi licence fee is now paid to the regulator yet provision of ranks still falls to the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13875/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Decisions regarding the location and operation of taxi ranks on public roads are matters for consideration by the relevant local authority. Under section 84 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as substituted by section 15 of the Road Traffic Act 2002 and amended by section 42(10) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, a local authority is empowered to make bye-laws in respect of any specified area in its functional area appointing the places at which taxis may stand for hire. The making of such bye-laws is a reserved function of a local authority. The provision of funding for taxi ranks is primarily a matter for local authorities.

Section 11 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 provides that the Commission for Taxi Regulation may provide financial assistance to local authorities to support the development or provision of infrastructure to facilitate and support the operation of small public service vehicles. The preparation of proposals for a scheme of financial support under this section in relation to the provision of taxi ranks is a matter for the Commission for Taxi Regulation.