Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason it is necessary for a person seeking to obtain a taxi/hackney licence to operate in County Limerick to have a knowledge of the geography of Limerick City even though they do not intend to operate in Limerick City; if there is a similar requirement imposed on those drivers that operate in Limerick City to have a knowledge of County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58024/12]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including issues relating to the area knowledge test, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003.

I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the number of inspections of taxi drivers carried out; if he will consider carrying out more inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58064/12]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The regulation of the taxi industry, including enforcement issues, is the overall responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA), assisted by the Garda Síochána.

I want to discourage the rogue operators who make it tough for the legally compliant operators to earn a living.  Many of the key recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011 relate to enforcement and compliance matters, involving both ‘on street’ and ‘off-street’ enforcement of the taxi regulations.

Concerning ‘on street’ enforcement specifically, there has been very good cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the NTA on enforcement issues this year and a substantial number of joint operations have been undertaken.

In relation to small public service vehicles, the NTA carried out over fourteen and a half thousand on-street vehicle checks as part of their enforcement activities during 2012.  These on-street vehicle checks continue to show a high degree of compliance with the relevant regulations.  In addition, An Garda Siochana also carried out a significant number of vehicle checks on small public service vehicles, both as part of joint operations carried out in conjunction with the NTA and as part of their normal road traffic policing activities.

The NTA is currently drafting an enforcement plan for 2013 which will be coordinated with An Garda Síochána's policing plan for 2013. That will assist with continued co-operation during 2013.

In addition, as recommended under Actions 21 and 25 of the Review Report, Garda powers are to be extended to allow members of An Garda Síochána to issue fixed charged notices with respect to additional SPSV fixed charge offences. It is anticipated that in 2013 regulations will be made following commencement of Section 34 of the Road Traffic Act 2010.

The Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 will support the enforcement measures proposed in the Taxi Review Report. The provisions of the Bill will further support measures to ensure that operators and drivers can operate under a robust regulatory framework supported by an effective enforcement regime. The Bill is to be introduced in the Seanad this month.

Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether there are sufficient spaces at taxi ranks in Dublin city for the number of taxis on the road; his plans to provide additional taxi rank spaces in Dublin city especially close to the Four Courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58065/12]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Under Section 15 of the Road Traffic Act, 2002, Dublin City Council, in consultation with the Commissioner of An Garda Siochána, is responsible for the making of bye-laws in respect of the area comprising of the city of Dublin, including bye-laws regarding the location and number of taxi ranks.

I have no function in this matter.

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider amending the proposed Taxi Regulations Bill 2012 to allow for the transfer of taxi licences upon the death of the owner or in circumstances when the owner is no longer in a position to operate their taxi due to ill health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58114/12]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the transfer of taxi licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1260/13]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1142 and 1151 together.

As part of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011, the proposal for a prohibition on the transfer of small public service vehicle (SPSV) licences reflects the Review Group view that a licence should determine a person’s suitability to carry out a function and it should not have monetary value or be traded on the open market.

The prohibition on the transfer of SPSV licences is provided for in the Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 which was published on 5 December last.

In acknowledging the need for specific provisions to deal with the issue of continuity of a taxi business in the event of the death of a licence holder an amendment to the Bill is being considered.