Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 439: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport following the creation of the taxi regulation directorate in the National Transport Authority following the dissolution of the Commission for Taxi Regulation on the 1 January 2011, the duties of the Taxi Regulator now that the board of the National Transport Authority decides the key taxi regulation decisions; if all the staff of the regulator were subsumed into the NTA; the services being provided by the NTA from the revenue collected from the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12511/11]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Upon the dissolution of the Commission for Taxi Regulation (CTR) on 1 January 2011, all the regulatory functions provided for under section 9 of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003 were transferred to the National Transport Authority (NTA). The Taxi Regulation Directorate of the NTA administers these functions.

All former staff of the CTR were transferred to and became employees of the NTA with effect from the 1 January last in accordance with Section 39 of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. The services and functions of the Taxi Regulation Directorate of the NTA, including the power to set fees, remain as set out in the Taxi Regulation Act 2003.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 440: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of inspections performed by the Commission for Taxi Regulation in 2010 to ascertain whether the person operating the taxi on the street was the actual licensee; the number of inspections of this that have been performed by the taxi regulation directorate since 1 January 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12513/11]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 447: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the compliance officers attached to the Office of the Taxi Regulator require additional powers to adequately monitor and enforce standards and regulations in the taxi sector; his plans regarding legislation on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12749/11]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 447 together.

The regulation of the taxi industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). Inspection and enforcement are also the responsibility of the NTA in cooperation with An Garda Síochána.

NTA compliance officers have extensive enforcement powers as authorised officers under section 49 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. However the question of any additional powers that may be necessary can be examined as part of the forthcoming full-scale review of the taxi sector to be carried out in accordance with the commitment in the Programme for Government.

I have referred the Deputy's Question to the NTA on the number of inspections carried out for direct reply. Please advise my Office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days