Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter regarding taxi signage (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46001/12]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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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.  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 (vinyl adhesive material printed with a particular design) 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 is now progressing with the implementation of the taxi “branding” as set out in that report. 

The current licensing requirements require that taxi vehicles are fitted with a “tamperproof” licensing disc, which is affixed to both the front and rear windscreens by a contractor on behalf of the National Transport Authority. While it is acknowledged that the requirement for a decal on the side of the vehicle will render it more visible as a taxi, it is still the case that, even without the roof sign, the vehicle is always identifiable as a taxi to someone knowledgeable about taxi vehicles through those tamper-proof discs affixed to the vehicle. While I note the concerns expressed about the new signage I do not think that they outweigh the benefits of more visible branding of taxis.