Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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33. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will commit to meeting representatives of ex-political prisoners to discuss the issues arising from the distribution of letters by the National Transport Authority to those who hold SPSV licences and the potentially catastrophic effect this could have on their livelihood and their families welfare due to legislation brought in by this Government which contravenes the commitments of this State to the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process. [21594/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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In line with the Taxi Regulation Review Report, 2011, the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013, provides for a proportionate system for mandatory disqualification from holding a licence upon having a serious criminal conviction. Section 30 of the Act, commenced with effect from the 6th April 2014, will ensure those with convictions on indictment for the most serious of violent crimes will be excluded from the industry. The specification of offences to which mandatory disqualification applies is based on the principle of ensuring the welfare and the safety of passengers.

There are inbuilt safeguards in the Act to ensure that the effect is not disproportionate. Specifically, there is a right of appeal under which the appropriate court can review a range of matters pertinent to the suitability of the appellant to be a taxi driver.

While I have met very extensively with taxi drivers and their representatives in relation to the Taxi Regulation Review and the enactment of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, I do not believe that a meeting of the kind proposed by the Deputy would serve a useful purpose. The issue of an appeal in any individual case is a matter for the courts.