Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on recent proposals from the National Transport Authority for the taxi industry including a uniform fleet, fleet colour and new vehicle size standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21743/11]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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In my announcements of the 8th and 24th 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 aim of the review is to 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.

The regulation of the taxi industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009. The NTA is currently carrying out a public consultation on proposed regulatory measures for SPSV vehicle standards with a view to advancing new regulations to come into force in January 2012. The results of this consultation process on SPSV vehicle standards will also feed directly into the work of the Taxi Regulation Review Group.

The idea on vehicle branding is to get feedback from operators in the taxi-sector on the matter and all responses will be assessed from there. The primary goal of the review is to seek to clean up bad practices currently being engaged in and to ensure that those who operate legitimately in the taxi sector are rewarded fairly for their work.

I should add that the invitation for submissions to be made on the Taxi Regulation Review and for the NTA consultation on SPSV vehicle standards extends to 5 August 2011.