Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
336. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he has met with representatives of the taxi industry following concern at the introduction of the fixed fare model; to report on these engagements; if there are plans to update regulations following the introduction of the fixed fare model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72387/25]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) is the independent transport regulator of the taxi sector, and I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of that sector.
I wrote to the NTA to request clarification on the regulatory position on the Uber fixed price fare for the information of taxi operators and public representatives alike. In the response to his letter, I have been advised by the NTA that the charging of a fixed fare is in accordance with the applicable regulations. I have also been advised that the NTA continues to keep the regulatory model under review. Senior officials from my department met with the NTA to discuss the response on 09 December.
I also formally requested the urgent consideration of the matter at a special meeting of the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles, whose role is to advise the Minister for Transport and NTA on matters relevant to SPSVs and their drivers, which took place on 11 December. I note the views of the Committee as follows:
1. The Committee expressed support for the regulatory model for small public service vehicles in Ireland which requires that all drivers and vehicles are licensed. Public safety must be at the heart of the regulatory regime.
2. The Committee wishes to acknowledge the important work undertaken and the service provided by taxi drivers in our communities. Taxis play an important role in providing access to essential services including health care.
3. The Committee is of the view that given changes in the taxi sector since the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, there is a need to assess whether legislation is up to date regarding the roles of technology and booking app dispatch operators in the sector.
4. The Committee recommended the following actions:
• for more dispatch operator data to be available to the regulator to assist it in undertaking its role.
• an examination of technology charges in the sector
The structure of the SPSV market has undoubtedly changed over the last number of years, particularly in relation to the role of dispatch operators. With this in mind, I have requested that the NTA conducts a regulatory assessment of dispatch operator licensing in Ireland in the context of ensuring that the regulatory framework for this element of the overall sector is sufficiently up to date and robust to respond to developments in the SPSV market since the enactment of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. In addition, I have requested that all stakeholders are given the opportunity to feed into this work as soon as possible.
Furthermore, the Minister intends to meet representatives of the taxi sector in the coming weeks
