Richard Boyd Barrett urges NTA-run app to protect taxi drivers
Richard Boyd Barrett spoke in the Dáil about the impact of Uber on the regulated taxi industry and called for a publicly-run, not-for-profit NTA app to protect taxi drivers' livelihoods. He said the app would preserve the regulated fare structure, prevent surge pricing and generate revenue for the exchequer.
He proposed a not-for-profit, publicly-run NTA app that all taxi drivers would sign up for. He described this as 'win-win-win' - it would protect regulated fares, stop surge pricing and provide revenue to the exchequer while safeguarding the livelihoods of nearly 20,000 taxi drivers.
He said he participated, along with thousands of taxi drivers, in a Saturday protest at Marion Square and that he had raised the issue previously on behalf of taxi drivers. Drivers asked the government to enforce its own regulations or, if necessary, amend legislation to protect their livelihoods from companies undermining the regulated fare structure.
He emphasised the need for enforcement or legislative change to prevent companies such as Uber from undermining the regulated taxi industry and its fare system. The speech framed the proposal as protecting drivers' livelihoods and the integrity of a regulated market.
The minister responded that he had written to the NTA on 19 November, attends the Taxi Forum and will chase up the matter; he said he had not yet received an answer and will engage with taxi representative bodies. The minister indicated he wants to clarify the regulatory framework and will work on the issue.
Proposed solution
He proposed a not-for-profit, publicly-run NTA app that all taxi drivers would sign up for. He described this as 'win-win-win' - it would protect regulated fares, stop surge pricing and provide revenue to the exchequer while safeguarding the livelihoods of nearly 20,000 taxi drivers.
Protest and representation
He said he participated, along with thousands of taxi drivers, in a Saturday protest at Marion Square and that he had raised the issue previously on behalf of taxi drivers. Drivers asked the government to enforce its own regulations or, if necessary, amend legislation to protect their livelihoods from companies undermining the regulated fare structure.
Regulatory concerns
He emphasised the need for enforcement or legislative change to prevent companies such as Uber from undermining the regulated taxi industry and its fare system. The speech framed the proposal as protecting drivers' livelihoods and the integrity of a regulated market.
Minister's response and next steps
The minister responded that he had written to the NTA on 19 November, attends the Taxi Forum and will chase up the matter; he said he had not yet received an answer and will engage with taxi representative bodies. The minister indicated he wants to clarify the regulatory framework and will work on the issue.
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Transcript
I'm glad it's the Minister of Transport. You weren't here when I raised on behalf of the taxi drivers of this country the issue of Uber and its attempt to undermine the regulated taxi industry and the livelihoods of nearly 20,000 taxi drivers. I participated along with thousands of taxi drivers on Saturday at a protest where they came here to Marion Square and what they are asking is that the government will enforce its own regulations or if necessary amend the legislation to protect their livelihoods and the efforts of Uber to undermine the regulated fare structure. And what they are asking for, and this is win-win-win for everybody, is that there would be a not-for-profit, publicly-run, NTA-run app which all of them would sign up for. That would mean money for revenue, money for the exchequer, it would mean the protection of the regulated taxi industry, the protection of the livelihoods of taxi drivers and prevent surge pricing which is what Uber and companies will bring in if they get the chance. Thank you. Deputy Boyd Barrett, I know that too. A lot of friends who are taxi drivers who work in the industry and I'm a big supporter of our taxi drivers and the sector. Deputy, do you want the answer, please? We don't have time for this. Now, in fairness, Richard's just back. We don't have time, Minister. You have 40 seconds. I'm good to see you back. But look, I've written to the NTA on this very specific issue. I have friends, constituents of mine and indeed people across the country in my role as Minister for Transport. So I do want to get to the bottom of this. I've asked the NTA to look at it. I do attend myself the Taxi Forum. I attended just four or five months ago and I'm attending again this week. OK, I don't have an answer back from the NTA yet. I wrote to them on the 19th of November. I was a cop last week. I'll be chasing it up this week. And I will be engaged with the taxi representative bodies on this matter. So I want to see what the regulatory framework is for this. It is a concern to many taxi drivers. Thank you, Minister. And I'll be working on it. Deputy Ken O'Flynn. Thank you, Colonel.