The Minister for Transport is seeking early recommendations from the newly established National Taxi Council to make the industry more professional and customer-friendly.
The 18-member advisory body, which met for the first time today and is chaired by former Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, will make recommendations relating to standards, entry criteria and codes of practices for the State's 14,000 taxi drivers.
The council comprises representatives of consumers; the taxi, hackney and limousine industry; the Gardaí, local authorities; and disability, tourism and business interests.
Noting that some council members had been opponents during the row over deregulation of the industry, Mr Byrne, speaking at Government Buildings said: "I expect some interesting times ahead, but I'm very much looking forward to it."
Mr Brennan said he wanted the council to make some early recommendations to him in areas including of general vehicle condition and appearance, a uniform colour for taxis, appearance of taxi drivers and training for taxi drivers.
"We are entering an exciting era for the taxi industry in Ireland. For the first time, dedicated legislation on taxis has been passed by the Dail, the first Taxi Regulator will soon be appointed and today the new Taxi Council is established," he said.
"I urge all involved to grasp this opportunity to grow the market and to build for the first time in this country a cab culture in which there is innovative fares structures and an emphasis throughout on a customer friendly, efficient and safe service for all involved".
He added that in the next few years ahead he would like to see a "conclusively professional taxi industry as part of the transport system".
Members of the National Taxi Council:
- Chairman, Mr Pat Byrne
- Chief Supt. Denis Fitzpatrick, An Garda Siochana
- Ms Noreen Mackey, Competition Authority
- Ms Sadie Doherty, Consumer and Community Interests
- Mr Jerry Brennan, SIPTU
- Mr John Ussher, Irish Taxi Drivers Federation
- Ms Deirdre Power, Irish Hotels Federation
- Dr Deirdre O'Keeffe, Fáilte Ireland
- Mr Michael Kilcoyne, Consumers Association of Ireland
- Mr Vincent Kearns, National Taxi Drivers Union (NTDU)
- Ms Denise Kinahan, Taxi Company Owners Association
- Mr Tom Fannin, National Chauffeur Drive Association (NCDA)
- Mr Brian Killeen, Transport Logistics
- Ms Mary Keogh, National Disability Authority
- Mr Vincent Thornton, Irish Motor Industry
- Ms Carmel Mulroy, Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI)
- Mr Christopher Humphrey, National Private Hire & Taxi Association
- Mr Joe Gavin, County and City Managers Association