Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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86. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to begin regulating the rickshaw industry; and his timeframe for commencing regulation. [14237/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​Dáil Éireann voted to provide for the regulation of rickshaws, by way of an amendment  to the then Road Traffic Bill 2016, which subsequently became Section 31 of the Road Traffic Act 2016.  As I have indicated in the Seanad and in reply to Parliamentary Questions, I need to take legal advice on the implications of Section 31 - especially given that it was not drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel or approved by the Office of the Attorney General - and my Department has sought legal advice on the matter.

In addition, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has submitted to my Department proposals for a potential framework for the future regulation of rickshaws. I received the NTA's proposals last month and they will be considered in tandem with the legal advice when received. 

I share the Deputy's concerns about the need for regulation of rickshaws, but it would not be appropriate to commence Section 31 of the Road Traffic Act 2016 before (1) the legal position is clarified and (2) I have considered the NTA's proposals on an appropriate and robust regulatory framework for rickshaws.