Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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726. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to amend section 14(1) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 in relation to the transfer of SPSV licences which came into effect from 6 April 2014 to accommodate drivers who missed the deadline due to extenuating circumstances; if he will acknowledge that there are a number of cases of driver who have been caught by the introduction of this legislation who should have been awarded a process of appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30678/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I have no plans to amend Section 14(1) of the Taxi Regulation Act.

 Action 14 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report, 2011, recommended the prohibition on the transferability of small public service vehicle (SPSV) licences with effect from 1st October 2012. The Report's recommendations were widely publicised to the industry, including through the National Transport Authority (NTA) website, industry updates and on the various taxi forum websites.

 It was intended that the measure would be introduced with effect from 1st January 2013 by way of regulations to be made by the NTA. However, it was concluded that such a provision would be more appropriate to primary legislation. 

The NTA has responsibility for the regulation of the SPSV sector under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013. This includes responsibility for the licensing of SPSV vehicles and adjudicating on appeals lodged following the commencement of the provision in relation to the prohibition on the transferability of SPSV licences with effect from the 6th April 2014.