Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of taxi drivers/owners arising from the proposed charges affecting the sector; his plans to alleviate concerns that taxi drivers/owners have in regards to such plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38637/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The focus of the Taxi Regulation Review was to achieve a balanced set of reforms that would allow consumers to have confidence in the taxi system while also ensuring that legitimate and competent operators and drivers would be rewarded fairly by operating under a regulatory framework that is adequately enforced.

The recommendations contained in the Taxi Regulation Review Report reflect the agreement of the Review Group. The Group included four representatives of the taxi sector representing the different strands within the industry and the the review process included an opportunity for written and oral submission to be made by interested parties. The Review Group was mindful, in making its recommendations, of the impact of the proposals on the taxi sector. Costs of compliance are however considered justified by the benefits of a better regulated and safer taxi sector.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003, and is also the lead agency with responsibility for implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report.  Work is progressing on all 46 Actions proposed and ten of the actions have been implemented to date. The timetable for implementation of the remaining actions is set out in the Review Report with short-term actions to be implemented this year and medium-term actions to be implemented after 2012. The NTA is required to report progress on implementation of the Review Recommendations quarterly to the Taxi Advisory Committee which includes representation from the taxi sector. 

This Autumn I will bring forward a Taxi Regulation Bill for publication which will give effect to the Review proposals aimed at strengthening enforcement of the taxi regulations.