Ivana Bacik

Committee Stage

8 October 2009.

Senator Ivana Bacik: Clearly, it is highly important to have provision for the consideration of integration of transport in land use planning in any regional planning guidelines. As Senator Cannon has noted, all Members support that concept. However, there also is room within the development of such guidelines for provision for greater consultation with members of the public and in particular for provision for a public right to participate. I would be grateful for the Minister of State’s assistance in ascertaining whether this is envisaged in this provision or in the original 2000 Act, which is to be amended. Similarly, I seek to ascertain whether there is provision for a complaints procedure when a member of the public believes an issue has arisen, perhaps regarding health and safety, in the development of such guidelines. I seek the Minister of State’s assistance in this regard.

Senator Ivana Bacik: I support Senator Ryan’s amendment. Senator Ryan made reference

to the bad old times and none of us wants to see a return to that time, nor would this amendment lead to a return to that. I refer to times when there was clearly an under supply of taxis, particularly in Dublin but also around the country. No one can defend that but this does not aim to return to this. Now we have the opposite situation, with an enormous oversupply of taxis, as anyone can see from walking around St. Stephen’s Green. There is a great deal of disquiet about this, not only among taxi drivers and their families. It does not serve any purpose and is not particularly favourable to the consumer. Once there are enough taxis so that people have a choice of taxis, it is unlike other areas where increased competition drives down prices.

That is not the issue here because taxi fares are regulated. Consumers do not see a reduction in fares they pay for taxis because there are more taxis on the streets. It is of no benefit to consumer to have masses of taxis queueing around St. Stephen’s Green everyday. This shows the difference between taxi supply and other areas. I can anticipate a comparison may be made with retail trade — but there is a clear benefit to consumers in that case, not only in terms of offering choice, but offering choice in price.