Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1079. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will indicate the extra provisions that have been made for the enhanced enforcement function of the Taxi Regulator in view of the proposed legislative changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26777/13]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The regulation of the taxi industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009. The NTA is also the lead agency with responsibility for implemetation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011, including, in cooperation with An Garda Siochana, the implementation of the enforcement measures that are proposed in the Review Report.

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. Data sharing arrangements between the enforcement agencies, which were recommended under the Taxi Review have already been implemented and are working well. Concerning ‘on street’ enforcement specifically, there has been very good cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the NTA.

The Taxi Regulation Bill will provide for the NTA to increase its enforcement resource through service agreements - this will have a significant impact on the ‘on-street’ enforcement capability. In addition, as recommended under Actions 21 and 25 of the Taxi Review Report, the Taxi Regulation Bill will enable An Garda Síochána to issue fixed payment notices with respect to 11 additional SPSV fixed charge offences. The Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 specifically provides for this and will  further support measures to ensure that operators and drivers can operate under a robust regulatory framework where I see a significant stepping-up of the enforcement effort with regard to the taxi regulations.