Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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160. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department and the National Transport Authority plans to update the list of suitable electric cars for taxi services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4407/21]

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

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has developed a comprehensive and detailed set of standards by which all vehicles operating in the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry must comply. These standards are explained in NTA’s Initial Suitability Inspection Manual (available at www.nationaltransport.ie) and include minimum specifications for age, size, accessibility and comfort. The primary aim of these requirements is to ensure the quality of vehicles in the SPSV sector. All SPSVs are tested for suitability before they are first licensed as SPSVs and again prior to renewal of the vehicle licence. The NTA are always looking to increase the choice of vehicles suitable for SPSV use and will continue to evaluate new EVs when they are made available to the market.

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