Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing problems being experienced in the taxi business as a result of the increased number of taxi licences granted in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44395/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, the Commission for Taxi Regulation is now the independent public body responsible for the development and maintenance of the regulatory framework for the control and operation, including licensing, of taxis, hackneys, limousines and their drivers. However, the Commission for Taxi Regulation does not have any remit or statutory power under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 in relation to the control of the number of licences issued.

While there are no quantitative restrictions on entry to the taxi market, there are, however, restrictions of a qualitative nature which are determined by the Commission. In that context, the Commission has appointed consultants to undertake an extensive review of the small public service vehicle sector. The review is expected to be completed in the near future.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has plans to amend the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 to allow for the ongoing problems being experienced in the taxi business due to the increased number of taxi licences and the economic situation here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44396/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, the Commission for Taxi Regulation is the independent public body responsible for the development and maintenance of the regulatory framework for the control and operation, including licensing, of taxis, hackneys, limousines and their drivers. However, the Commission for Taxi Regulation does not have any remit or statutory power under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 in relation to the control of the number of licences issued.

While I have no proposals to introduce quantitative restrictions on entry to the taxi market, there are, however, restrictions of a qualitative nature which are determined by the Commission. In that context, the Commission has appointed consultants to undertake an extensive review of the small public service vehicle sector. The review is expected to be completed in the near future.