Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of staff, and the operational cost of the taxi regulator's office. [16807/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Commission for Taxi Regulation was established under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 and is an independent public body. The Commission has a current approved staff complement of 22 staff in addition to which, at 31 March 2008, the Commission employs 13 staff on a contract basis.

The operational cost of the Commission in 2007 was €8,812,838, which was funded primarily from small public service vehicle licence fee revenue. The Commission is financially independent of the Department and receives no Exchequer funding for its activities.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the fact that only three of the 16-strong advisory council established under Part 4 of the Taxi Regulations Act 2003 are drawn from the ranks of those who have taxi driving experience. [16808/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation was established under section 54 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 with effect from 4 November 2003. The role of the Council is to advise the Commission for Taxi Regulation and the Minister for Transport, as appropriate, in relation to issues relevant to small public service vehicles and their drivers.

The Advisory Council consists of a chairperson and 17 ordinary members, appointed for a three year period, representing the taxi, hackney and limousine industry, local authorities, An Garda Síochána, consumer, disability, tourism and business interests and other relevant sectors, in accordance with the membership structure set out in the 2003 Act. Nominations from a range of interests were considered when decisions on the Council's membership were being made. The term of appointment of the current members of the Advisory Council will expire on 3 November 2009.

Five members of the Council were appointed to represent the interests of small public service vehicle operators and drivers. Of those, three are members of organisations that specifically represent the interests of taxi operators and drivers. I understand that five members of the Council have taxi driving experience. There is currently one ordinary member vacancy on the Council. I am satisfied that the current membership of the Advisory Council adequately reflects the representational structure envisaged under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003.