Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason there is no representative of self-employed, full-time taxi drivers on the new Taxi Review Body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19000/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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In my announcements of the 8th and 24th June respectively I have clarified the terms of reference of the Taxi Regulation Review and the membership of the review Steering 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. The review 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, taxi 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.