The Minister for Transport, Séamus Brennan TD, today (Sunday, 27th June 2004) announced that the exemption, which allows drivers of taxis, hackneys and limousines not to use seatbelts, is to be removed. Under Regulations made recently by the Minister the exemption will no longer apply from this Thursday, 1st July 2004.
Minister Brennan said: "Given the overwhelming evidence of the effectiveness of seatbelts in preventing death and reducing serious injury in road accidents, it is not longer possible to justify continuing this exemption. It must be stressed that the wearing of seatbelts by the drivers of taxis, hackneys and limousines not only improves their own safety but also that of their passengers".
The Minister also reminded all those involved in the taxi industry that from 2nd August 2004 everyone applying for or renewing a licence to own, operate or drive a taxi, wheelchair accessible taxi, hackney or limousine must be in a position to produce an up to date tax clearance certificate from the Revenue Commissioners. Licences will not be granted or renewed unless the applicant produces to the licensing authority (the local authority or Gardai) a tax clearance certificate issued by the Revenue Commissioners under Section 1095 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
Minister Brennan said the ending of the exemption on seatbelt wearing and the new requirement for licences had been recommended to him by the National Taxi Council, established in November 2003 under the chairmanship of former Garda Commissioner, Mr. Pat Byrne.
The 17 member council includes representatives of consumers, the taxi, hackney and limousine industry, the Gardaí, local authorities, disability, tourism and business interests.
The Minister said he was closely examining another recommendation from the Taxi Council with a view to making a decision in the near future. The Council recommended that the taxi "drivers badge", first introduced in 1963, should be replaced by a proper form of identification to be worn by drivers at all times while engaged in business. It should be colour coded to distinguish between the services being provided, taxis, hackneys or limousine.
The Minister said: "The measures now being introduced on a phased basis are part of an overall drive to promote a more professional, reliable and safe taxi service in which the travelling public can have full confidence and, for those directly involved in providing the service, a proper level of income and standard of living. The latest statistics confirm that there has been tremendous growth in the taxi industry in just a few years. In the first three years following the liberalising of the taxi industry the number of taxis and wheelchair accessible taxis countrywide has grown substantially, from 3,934 in November 2000 to 12,845 at the end of 2003. For consumers the result has been a more frequent and more reliable service. For the industry itself it has meant more jobs and increased opportunities.
I want to shape and build a taxi industry in which the vast majority of those involved are employed full time and can secure a proper income and standard of living. I want to bring about a 'cab culture' in Ireland that will place taxis and hackneys as an integral part of the public transport system. I will shortly be appointing a National Taxi Regulator to take charge of the industry countrywide and to implement improved standards."
The removal of the exemption on seatbelts was given effect by the Road Traffic (Removal of Exemption from Wearing Seat Belts by Taxi Drivers) Regulations 2004.
ENDS
Further information
Tom Rowley (01) 6041089 087 8124723
Veronica Scanlan (01) 6041087 087 6430622
