Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in view of the nine year rule for drivers of taxis and hackneys, it is the case that, under the current provisions for same, a holder of a licence issued after 1 January 2009 who is required to replace a car between nine and fourteen years old could sell this car to another licence holder, with a licence issued before 1 January 2009, who would then be entitled to use this same car as a taxi; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27635/12]

Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason it is intended to phase out vehicles that are more than nine years old from the taxi fleet; the further reason vehicles more than nine years that have passed a National Car Test are still deemed unroadworthy; his views on whether the NCT is an adequate means of testing the road worthiness of cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27636/12]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.

The regulation of the taxi industry, including issues pertaining to vehicle age limit, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). As to the specific case mentioned by the Deputy, I have arranged for your question to be forwarded to the NTA for a direct response. If you do not receive a response within ten working days, please notify my private office.

A public consultation was carried out by the NTA last year concerning vehicle standards, including vehicle age, and the outcome of the consultation was made available to the Taxi Regulation Review Group. Action 10 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report proposes that existing vehicles in the fleet prior to 1st January 2009, should be allowed to operate until they are 14 years of age, subject to passing a roadworthiness test and an NTA Licence Renewal Assessment at six monthly intervals for vehicle nine years or older. This approach will give license holders time to adjust to the new arrangements and will work out cheaper than replacing the car outright as was proposed previously. It is hoped that the 6-monthly NCT testing of these vehicles will be commenced in tandem with new vehicle standards to be introduced by the NTA, in January 2013.

It is envisaged that vehicles older than nine years will gradually transition out of the fleet. In considering matters relating to vehicle standards, the Review Group was conscious of the need to ensure an effective balance between the provision of a high quality and safe service to the public and the interests of taxi drivers with a long-term commitment to the industry.