Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2026
79. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of concerns from the taxi industry that algorithms on application platforms (details supplied) are distorting the market whereby it appears as if there is a shortage of taxis when in reality there is not; his plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11999/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
As the Deputy is aware, SPSV operators are self-employed and may decide to sign-up, or not, with a licensed dispatch operator, such as Uber. They are not obliged by my Department or the NTA to be affiliated with any dispatch operator but where they choose to do so, they are free to contract with a dispatch operator of their choice. They also decide on their own hours of work within the SPSV regulatory framework.
As the Deputy is further aware, the structure of the taxi and hackney market has undoubtedly changed since liberalisation of the market took place, and more notably in recent years, in relation to the role of dispatch operators. 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 since the enactment of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
The NTA is currently developing the Call for Inputs on the dispatch operator licensing framework as a priority, and expects to publish the Call in late February/early March. A sustainable taxi sector is an important element of our transport system, and I encourage all stakeholders to take the opportunity to feed into this important piece of work, as input from stakeholders will inform the NTA's process and decision-making in revising the current dispatch operator framework.
Given the NTA's responsibility in regulating dispatch operators, I have referred your question to the NTA for further information. Please advise my private office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
