Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
329. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the engagements he has had with the taxi industry in relation to the introduction of the fixed fare model since the six day set of disruptions was called off; the dates on which these meetings took place; who was present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73652/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 in November to request clarification on the regulatory position on the Uber fixed price fare for the information of taxi operators and public representatives alike. In its response to my letter, I was 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 last.
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 last.
Minutes of this meeting and the list of attendees will be published on the NTA's website here: www.nationaltransport.ie/about-us/advisory-committee-on-spsvs/advisory-committee-on-small-public-service-vehicles-meetings/ when available
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, and I intend to meet representatives of the taxi sector in the coming weeks.
