asked the Minister for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that persons who wish to have taxi licences in the city of Cork will have their applications fairly considered, with proper and relevant criteria applied to each case.

As the issue of taxi licences in Cork city is at present the subject of proceedings in the High Court, it would not be proper for me to comment in the matter.

My comment is not in any way aimed specifically at the Minister. I am not saying that he is particularly an offender, but this sub judice rule is being used as an excuse to cover anything at all.

Hear, hear.

Regardless of which way this case may go, and I do not know anything about it, surely the Minister would accept that there is an obligation to allot taxi licences fairly having regard to the respective merits of the applicants.

Yes, but this is something that can be reviewed again for the coming year and not only in relation to Cork. I think I know what the Deputy is referring to—unemployed people and so on.

I have been thinking more of a particular case of a man who invested heavily in a taxi and the necessary equipment, but who finds now that he cannot get a licence because of a balloting arrangement. Would the Minister not agree that that is not a way to do business?

That system was tried this year for the first time.

Will it be discontinued from the end of this year?

I cannot say that it will be discontinued but it will be reviewed for the purpose of finding out whether there is a better way of dealing with this operation.

Therefore, may the person who consulted me be assured that the whole situation will be re-opened in principle on 1 January?

It will be re-examined or, as the Deputy says, re-opened.

Therefore, if the person concerned makes representations on 1 January he will have some chance of being attended to?

Yes.