Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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219. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of his Department's review of cross-border SPSV operations. [48602/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, in order to carry persons for hire and reward, the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 requires the holding of a small public service vehicle (SPSV) licence and a SPSV driver licence.  These requirements only apply to services if and when they are provided in the State.  The 2013 Act does not provide for such services to be delivered on a cross border basis.  The legislative position is similar in Northern Ireland.

As a result, under current legislation, if a SPSV operator wishes to operate cross-border taxi services, they would have to apply for and obtain licences in both the North and the South.

Accordingly, and to ensure that cross border taxi services can be legally facilitated and appropriately regulated, it has been decided that primary legislation will be needed in both jurisdictions, on a reciprocal basis, to provide for the exempting of particular requirements on licenced taxi operators in respect of certain cross-border services, subject to specified conditions. This approach was agreed, last year, between myself and the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland at that time, Chris Hazzard. 

My Department is committed to developing the necessary legislative changes, which will require Government approval in due course.  However, any changes to the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 can only be progressed and ultimately enacted, in parallel with reciprocal legislative changes being introduced by the Northern Executive.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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220. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of his Department's review of ride sharing arrangements. [48603/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is provided for under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. This Act requires the holding of a SPSV licence and SPSV driver licence to carry passengers for hire or reward. No definition for "ridesharing" is provided for in this Act.

The current licensing regime was put in place to protect the consumer and to help ensure personal safety.  While cognisant of the need to safeguard these objectives, I am conscious that there is also a need to evolve and be open to new technologies and innovation. 

In this context, I am committed to giving further consideration to this issue.  Along with my officials, I regularly engage with key stakeholders in the transport industry.  This helps to provide insights into the performance of our legislative frameworks and their impacts on the delivery of all modes of transport including SPSVs.  My Department continues to consider the issue of ride sharing, taking into account the likely impacts and risks to the travelling public associated with any change to current provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.  This work is ongoing and I am more than happy to consider new proposals and workable options.