Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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224. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that the taxi service and the transportation of citizens in hackneys in Trim, County Meath, is adequately policed. [47420/13]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The regulation of the taxi industry, including enforcement, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009. NTA currently has 8 enforcement officers and it carries out enforcement activities nationally in conjunction with An Garda Siochana, whose members are also authorised persons for the purposes of enforcement of the regulations concerning small public service vehicle  (SPSV) services.

In line with the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011, the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 provides for a suite of enforcement measures with a focus on ensuring the suitability of persons to hold a licence to drive an SPSV and for on-going compliance with the SPSV regulations. Under the Act the enforcement capacity of the NTA can be enhanced through service agreements and provision has also been made so that breaches of SPSV regulations can be brought under the fixed charge notice system operated by An Garda Siochana - this will have a significant impact on the future ‘on-street’ enforcement capability.

The NTA is also the lead agency with responsibility for implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011. I have forwarded your Question to the NTA for information and attention. If you have not heard from the NTA within 10 working days please contact my private office.