Transport Minister Seamus Brennan has announced the appointment of Jimmy Farrelly as interim National Taxi Regulator until the appointment of a National Taxi Regulator on a full statutory basis later this year.
Mr Farrelly is a former secretary general of the Department of the Environment & Local Government.
The Minister said he had asked Mr Farrelly to have talks with interested parties and to let him have early and firm recommendations on a wide range of issues, including:
- Standards of entry into the taxi industry.
- Measures to reassure the public about security and safety issues
- The age of taxi vehicles
- Standards to be applied to the condition of vehicles
- The adoption of an acceptable dress code for taxi drivers
- The adoption of a national uniform colour for taxis.
The Minister said legislation was now being prepared to set up a new Commission for Taxi Regulation which would have full control over the application of standards and licensing of taxis, hackneys and limousines on a national basis.
