Galway taxi drivers are renting taxi licences to other people without any vetting process.
That is according to Galway TD Frank Fahey, who has invited the Galway taxi drivers to speak before the Oireachtas Transport Committee,
The taxi drivers will be joined by their counterparts from Dublin and Cork where they will voice their concerns at the number of licences being issued and the inadequacy of taxi ranks.
Deputy Fahey said, “A number of issues of concern have been raised with me by taxi driver associations from around the country, including Galway, and I am hopeful that next Wednesday’s committee meeting will provide a constructive platform for all the relevant parties to discuss the issues.
“Of particular concern is the lack of proper standards in relation to the passing on and issuing of taxi licences. It has been brought to my attention that taxi drivers can simply sell or rent licences to people wishing to purchase them without any adequate vetting procedures or proper control of standards.
“I have recommended to the Taxi Regulator that drivers who wish to relinquish their plates should return them to the Taxi Regulator instead of just selling them or renting them through newspaper advertisements. These licences can then be reissued by the Taxi Regulator to applicants who qualify in the appropriate way.”
Deputy Fahey also said extra taxi ranks were vital in Galway and other cities and he said he hoped to see plans put in place for their provision.
Among the other recommendations made by Deputy Fahey to the Taxi Regulator is that new applicants with foreign driving licences be required to undergo the normal driving tests to acquire an Irish driving licence.
