Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the implementation of uniform decals for taxis. [45129/12]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Action 31 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report in 2011 proposes the introduction of a distinctive branding on taxis and wheelchair accessible taxis by means of a semi-permanent decal to be applied to the doors on either side of the vehicle, incorporating the umbrella 'Transport for Ireland' design. The aim of the branding is to provide greater recognition of taxis, promote greater professionalism of the industry and to reduce the potential for unlicensed vehicles to operate as taxis.

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 2011. 

I understand that the NTA has already supplied information on its website concerning the taxi branding, which will be an application requirement for new vehicle licences and renewal of existing vehicle licences from January 2013, and that the NTA will notify the industry concerning the authorised suppliers of the decal in due course.