Legislation which would establish a three year moratorium on the issuing of taxi licenses should be introduced urgently, the Oireachtas Committee on Transport said today.
The Committee also called for extra taxi rank spaces to be provided by local authorities in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick, and for the practice of renting or leasing taxi licences to be discontinued.
It also said new applicants should be required to undergo tests equal to or exceeding the standard required to acquire an Irish driving license and that taxi drivers who wish to relinquish their plates be obliged to return them to the Taxi Regulator at cost price to eliminate the practice of drivers reselling them elsewhere.
A total of 11 recommendations made by the Committee, which is comprised of senators and TDs, have been sent to Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey for his consideration.
Committee chairman Frank Fahey TD said he had held a series of meetings with various players in the Irish taxi industry in recent months and found an industry which needs change and better regulation.
“We feel standards must be improved within the sector to ensure that consumers are provided with a higher quality, more efficient and superior service... the introduction of a three year freeze in licenses is the best way to do this,” he said.
“Such a move would enable the Taxi Regulator and the gardaí to better regulate the industry, reduce the instances of fraud, improve the quality of vehicles and ensure all drivers are suitably qualified.”
