The Government has announced a review into the taxi industry.
Minister for Public and Commuter Transport Alan Kelly said the review will look at all aspects of the industry, including enforcement and licensing.
Minister Kelly said the review should be completed in three to four months and that the Government will take action on foot of its findings.
He said that gardaí will have to play a greater role in policing the taxi industry.
Earlier, the Director of Taxi Regulation said her office will prosecute any taxi drivers who illegally hold multiple taxi licences or are in breach of any other regulations.
Kathleen Doyle said that since 2007, 290 drivers were prosecuted for various offences including over-charging and not displaying a licence.
However, she said the safety of vehicles and the vetting of drivers was a matter for the gardaí.
Ms Doyle was responding to last night's Prime Time Investigates programme, which examined elements of the taxi industry.
The company that operates the National Car Testing Service has also said it has made a complaint to gardaí.
Last night's programme featured footage filmed with hidden cameras showing NCT personnel passing taxis that had previously been found to have serious defects, apparently in return for money.
In a statement this morning, Applus said it would vigorously investigate the matter until all issues raised by the programme, in relation to vehicle inspections, had been fully addressed.
It has also reported the matter to the gardaí.
The NCT is overseen by the Road Safety Authority. Its Chief Executive, Noel Brett, said he had raised his concerns with the gardaí and would be discussing the matter with Applus.
John Ussher of the National Taxi Drivers' Federation said stricter enforcement was needed to ensure rogue operators were detected and prosecuted.
