Taxi regulator: will assume responsibilities held presently by Minister

The State's first taxi regulator is to be Mr Gerard Deering (44), currently director of community and enterprise with Carlow County Council, writes Tim O'Brien.

Mr Deering will take up his appointment in September.

Mr Deering, who is to be known as the chairman of the Commission for Taxi Regulation, will assume the responsibilities for taxi regulation held presently by the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan.

Mr Brennan said Mr Deering "will be armed with the Act and the National Taxi Council", which is an advisory council chaired by the former Garda commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne.

Mr Brennan said the regulator's duties will be: