The Taxi Regulator has published new vehicle standard guidelines, which she says will improve the standard of the Small Public Service fleet.
Kathleen Doyle says the primary aim of the new guidelines is to improve the standard but also comfort and safety for drivers and passengers.
Under the guidelines new taxis and hackneys cannot be more than nine years old.
Small cars not capable of seating four adult passengers are no longer permitted.
However existing drivers have until January 2012 to comply with the new guidelines.
A range of guidelines for wheelchair accessible vehicles has also been published, but these do not have to be adhered to until 2012.
These guidelines will prevent goods vehicles being converted to wheelchair accessible vehicles.
By January of 2009 all licence holders will have to fit safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, a torch and a pen and paper.
As there will be significant cost implications for operators the regulator has made a submission to the Department of Transport recommending a subsidy scheme for the purchase of wheelchair accessible vehicles.
