Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 630: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria used to select each member of the steering group on taxi industry reform; and the way each appointee met those criteria. [18297/11]

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 631: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will detail any relevant business interests of taxi review steering group appointees (details supplied); and any taxi licenses that they hold. [18298/11]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 630 and 631 together.

In my announcements of 8 and 24 June respectively I have clarified the terms of reference and the membership of the Taxi Regulation Review Group, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. The review will enable the necessary further reforms of the sector to allow consumers to have confidence in the taxi system while also ensuring that legitimate and competent operators and drivers can be rewarded fairly by operating under a regulatory framework that is adequately enforced. It will address a wide range of issues relating to the taxi sector including the current regulatory policy and practices, licensing systems, enforcement and future dialogue with the taxi sector.

In my view, the wide ranging membership of the Review Steering Group will allow an appropriate contribution from stakeholders, including dispatch operators, drivers, consumers as well as the regulatory and enforcement agencies. I should add that the consultation on the review extends to all interested parties and stakeholders through an invitation for written submission to be made before the end of July.