Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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18. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support full-time taxi drivers who are finding it difficult in the current economic climate and to support their genuine concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21456/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I have always been supportive of the interests of full-time taxi drivers who are legally compliant and committed to providing a high quality service to customers. I have met extensively with them in the course of leading the Taxi Regulation Review and in the subsequent enactment of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.

That Act, which was recently commenced, is the most significant piece of legislation relating to the taxi sector in the history of the State.  It strengthens the regulatory powers of the National Transport Authority in relation to licensing, enforcement and regulation of the industry.

The Act, together with regulations introduced by the National Transport Authority, gives the necessary legal underpinning to many of the actions recommended in the Taxi Regulation Review. The aim  is to allow consumers to have confidence in the taxi system while also ensuring that legitimate and professional operators and drivers can be rewarded fairly by operating in a regulatory framework that is adequately enforced.

The provisions in the legislation include mandatory disqualification from holding a licence upon having a serious criminal conviction and a demerit system to deal with recurrent breaches of the regulations. The National Transport Authority is given the power to enter into agreements with service providers so as to increase enforcement capacity and capability. As a result of the latter, 15 new enforcement officers have been appointed as part of 'Operation Taximeter' which is targeting both urban centers and rural towns.

Other measures introduced include 'off-street' enforcement and co-operation arrangements for data sharing between key enforcement agencies of An Garda Síochána, National Transport Authority, Department of Social Protection and the Revenue Commissioners, an end to the practice of 'plate rental', a prohibition on vehicle licence transfers,  a requirement for a declaration of other employment and mandatory branding on vehicles to provide greater recognition of taxis, promote increased professionalism of the industry and to reduce the potential for unlicensed vehicles to operate as taxis.