Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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88. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the concerns regarding the introduction of a taxi fixed price; if he has conducted a review into whether it complies with the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 and the Taxi Regulation (Maximum Fares) Order 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63062/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the setting of fares, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Act 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.

Section 24 of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016 empowers the NTA Board to make a 'Maximum Fares Order' fixing the maximum fare that may be charged by the driver of a taxi for any journey and ensuring the protection of passengers. The current maximum fares order took effect in December 2024 and a maximum fare review is carried our approximately every two years. The NTA has conducted these reviews since 2011. It should be noted that hackneys and limousines agree their fares in advance and do not use a meter.

As set out in the legislation, charging in excess of this maximum fare can lead to a prosecution however, charging below the maximum fare is permitted. In addition, there is a list of fixed payment offences associated with the misuse of taximeters set out by the NTA in the Small Public Service Vehicle (Fixed Payment Offences and Driver Licence Period) Regulations 2022. I understand that the Uber Fixed Price offer is not in breach of the regulatory provisions regarding the maximum fare, and does not constitute an offence associated with the misuse of taximeters. I intend to ask the NTA as regulator to formally clarify the position. SPSV operators are self-employed and can decide whether (or not) to sign-up with a licensed dispatch operator, such as Uber. They are not obliged to be affiliated with a dispatch operator in Ireland. Where they choose to do so, taxi drivers are free to contract with any dispatch operator of their choice.

Neither I, my Department nor the NTA are parties to the commercial or contractual arrangements in place between SPSV drivers and dispatch operator(s).