The Cabinet has approved the appointment of a regulator as part of the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan's Taxi Regulation Bill. The taxi drivers' branch of SIPTU has given a guarded to welcome to the news.
The Bill would allow for the appointment of the regulator as chair of a new independent Commission for Taxi Regulation.
The new commission is intended to introduce and monitor a range of provisions aimed at improving the quality of service provided by taxis, hackneys and limousines.
Minister Brennan said the Bill will be introduced into the Dáil on Thursday and is confident of having it passed by the summer recess on July 3rd. He hopes the office of National Taxi Regulator will be established on a permanent basis by the Autumn.
But SIPTU official, Mr Jerry Brennan, says he is concerned at the length of time it could take to implement the proposals and has re-iterated his call for the Minister, to halt the issuing of new licences in the meantime.
"SIPTU will continue to call on the Minister for Transport, Seamus Brennan, to temporarily suspend the issuing of public service vehicle licences, in order that those involved with the taxi industry can work together to deliver the best possible service to the public and to assure those drivers and their families — who are dependent on the industry — that they can make a living into the future," Mr (Jerry) Brennan said.
The Bill also provides for establishment of a National Taxi Council that will advise and make recommendations to the Commission and the Minister in relation to regulations, standards and codes of practice for the taxi industry.
The membership of the 16 member Council will be drawn from representatives of the taxi, hackney and limousine industry, local authorities, the Gardai, consumer, disability, tourism and business interests. Minister Brennan said he would shortly be announcing the membership of the Council.
Minister Brennan also announced that he is putting in place specific arrangements to implement the findings of the Taxi Hardship Panel. Under the arrangements, which he will announce shortly, claims for hardship arising from the liberalising of the taxi industry in November 2002 will be assessed and payments will be made to those who qualify.
Other measures proposed in the Bill include a specified conviction for any one of a range of serious offences committed by taxi drivers, including rape, murder, manslaughter, assault, drug trafficking with any sexual offence leading to automatic disqualification from being granted or holding a licence.
A separate disqualification is included for drivers convicted of dangerous driving and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
There is also provision for offences committed by passengers such as soiling the cab or refusing to pay a fare agreed in advance.