Written answers

Thursday, 29 September 2011

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Taxi Regulations

5:00 pm

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the number of taxi regulation enforcement officers form the current nine officials who are under the remit of the National Transport Authority in view of the thousands of taxi vehicles across the country; his views that the use of the multi-agency enforcement teams to monitor and invigilate taxi regulations should be significantly increased in view of the success of these teams on the nights that they have been out; if he will ask the NTA to increase the number of multi-agency teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26728/11]

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will direct the National Transport Authority to examine the operation of illegal taxi ranks in towns and cities across the country which prohibit many drivers who are working from legal ranks from picking up fares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26729/11]

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 208: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Authority has reported to him on the percentage of taxi vehicles across the country which are complying with the new regulation on the display of a county sticker which came into force on 1 August 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26730/11]

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the taxi regulator division within the National Transport Authority is still permitted to issue new regulations through statutory instruments even though a complete review of the taxi industry is currently taking place through the Taxi review group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26731/11]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 to 209, inclusive, together.

While the taxi regulation review is pressing ahead with its work under my chairmanship, the NTA retains its regulatory functions under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 including its statutory power to make regulations under section 34 of the Act. It is important that the NTA has such flexibility in the interests of being able to respond effectively to any enforcement challenges that arise in protecting the consumer.

The supply and operation of taxi ranks is a key issue that is being examined in the course of the review. The allocation of taxi rank spaces is a function of local authorities and It would be inappropriate to issue a direction to the NTA on this subject because of the role of local authorities and the difficult enforcement challenges being considered by the review steering group. However, it is an area that will have to be addressed by the review group.

Strengthening enforcement is a critical area for the taxi review and we are looking at how the NTA supported by the Gardaí be best deployed to target non-compliance in the sector.

In the case of compliance with the use of county stickers I have referred the Deputy's query to the NTA for a direct response on the level of compliance. If a reply is not received within 10 working days, please contact my private office.

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