Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce new licensing laws for taxis and public service vehicles; the implications that any changes may have for aged vehicles currently in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44144/12]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The regulation of the taxi industry, including issues pertaining to vehicle age limit, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). The NTA is also the lead agency with responsibility for the implementation of the recommended actions contained in the Taxi Regulation Review and makes reports quarterly on implementation to the Taxi Advisory Committee.  

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 the vehicle age limit at licence issue or licence renewal will be nine years for vehicles entering the fleet after 1 January, 2009.  Vehicles that are nine years or older  and were associated, before 1 January, 2009, with a licence will be allowed to be operated on their current licence up to and including 14 years of age subject to passing a roadworthiness test and an NTA Licence Renewal Assessment at six monthly intervals.    

Vehicles older than nine years will therefore 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.