Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on appointing a deputy taxi regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15209/09]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 360: To ask the Minister for Transport if he proposes to appoint a deputy taxi regulator as provided for under the Taxi Regulations 2003, who will have a specific remit for the Munster region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15316/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together.

Sections 13 and 14 of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003, provide that the Commission for Taxi Regulation shall consist of at least one and not more than three members appointed by the Minister for Transport with the consent of the Minister for Finance and following selection by the Public Appointments Service. Section 15 of the Act provides for the designation by the Commission, where there is only one Commissioner, of a member of staff of the Commission as "deputy Commissioner" to act in the absence of the Commissioner or where the membership of the Commission is vacant.

In accordance with these provisions one Commissioner is in office and the Commission for Taxi Regulation has appointed a deputy Commissioner. It is not open to me, under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003, to appoint a deputy Commissioner and I do not propose to appoint a second Commissioner.