Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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137. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address matters (details supplied) regarding the ten-year replacement rule for taxis and the transfer of taxi plates which directly impact on taxi drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18009/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including age limits for vehicles used as SPSVs, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.

Given the role of the NTA as regulator, I have referred your question to the Authority for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

The transfer of small public service vehicle licences, as suggested by the Deputy, is prohibited under section 14(1) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. There are no plans to adjust this provision at this time, the rationale being that a licence should indicate a person’s suitability to carry out a function and should not have, by association, a monetary value or be tradeable on the open market.