Press release 7th Sept 2009

Tralee taxi firm says Transport Minister does not know he has control of licences

A TRALEE-based taxi company has said it can prove that nobody at the highest [eve[ actuatty knows who is responsible for the regutation of the taxi industry and for the issuing of taxi licences.

ln responses to letters sent on behatf of 24/7 Cabs to both the Minister for Transport and the Taxi Regutator asking these questions, the Taxi Regulator said it was a matter for the Minister, white the Minister said it was a matter for the Taxi Regutator.

The Generat Manager of 24/7 Cabs Tralee, Terry Boyle said: "lt is tittte wonder that the Taxi Industry is in such difficutty when neither the Minister nor the Regulator is claiming responsibitity for issuing licences to an atready overpoputated sector. We don't have confidence in a system that is ctearty not adequatety regutated and where the ruting bodies don't know themselves who is responsibte for making decisions."

Earlier this year 24/7 Cabs ted the way by catting on the Taxi Regutator to introduce a scheme that witt insist that new taxi-drivers will have at least 18 months experience with a reputabte firm prior to being granted a futt-ticence.

24/7 Cabs and other taxi operators are now questioning how sensibte recommendations such as this can even be considered when the Taxi Regutator and the Minister are contradicting each other in retation to who has the statutory power to control the number of licences issued.

Earlier this year, Kerry County Councitlor, Anne McEttistrim wrote on behalf of 24/7 Cabs to both the Minister for Transport, Noe[ Dempsey and the Taxi Regutator, Kathteen Doyle asking each of them who was responsibte for issuing taxi ticences.

ln her reply, the Taxi Regutator, Kathteen Doyte wrote: "...the Commission for Taxi Regulation does not have the remit or statutory power under the Taxi Regutation Act 2003 in relation to the control of the number of licences issued."

In his repty, Minister Noe[ Dempsey wrote: "The regutation of the taxi industry is a matter for the Commission for Taxi Regutation under the Taxi Regutation Act 2003. "

Ends For further information please contact: John Drummey Communications on 087-7909487 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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