Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1495. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if taxi drivers are entitled to remove the Transport for Ireland taxi decal during periods when their vehicles are not used as taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36894/17]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1496. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Authority has the required permission from every taxi driver for the public display of information supplied on the Transport for Ireland online taxi application form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36895/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1495 and 1496 together.

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including vehicle signage and all licencing requirements, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.

I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if the Deputy does not receive a response within 10 working days.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1497. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 791 of 7 March 2017, if the vacancies referred to have been filled; if not, the reason for the delay in the appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36896/17]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1498. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 791 of 7 March 2017, the steps he will take to rectify the lack of balance (details supplied) on the Taxi Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36897/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1497 and 1498 together.

The Taxi Regulation Act 2013 provides that the Taxi Advisory Committee (TAC) shall consist of a Chairperson and 17 ordinary members. The 2013 Act also sets out requirements with regard to categories of representation.

Three of the four vacancies to which you referred have since been filled. These positions were under the 'special interest or expertise' category. The applications for these positions were submitted through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and the positions were fulfilled in line with the new State Appointments Procedures.

In appointing members to the Committee, every effort is made, insofar as is practicable, to ensure that there is both rural and urban representation in the composition of the Committee in line with the 2013 Act.

Section 72 of that Act provides that appointments are for a period not exceeding 3 years. As the membership of the previous TAC expired on 31 July 2015, the existing TAC members have either been appointed or re-appointed until 31 July 2018.

Accordingly, the process to appoint new members will begin shortly and will take into account, insofar as is practicable, the requirements on diversity of membership under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.