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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Taxi drivers' support

Summary

Sinn Féin urges support for a motion backing taxi drivers, whose business has collapsed during the pandemic. The Taoiseach says the transport minister is engaging with their representatives and is open to looking at supports.

As we all know, taxi drivers have endured a really terrible time. Their business has collapsed and they see very little light at the end of the tunnel. Earlier the Taoiseach indicated that the Minister, Deputy Ryan, is willing to continue to engage with the taxi drivers' representatives. I hope this proves to be true and it is welcome news. I put it to the Taoiseach that he should support the motion Sinn Féin will bring before the Dáil this evening that sets out all the fundamental asks of taxi drivers up and down the State. Aside from financial assistance and help, it includes a pause on the issuing of new licences, reform of the taxi advisory committee, continued access to bus lanes, which is an issue, and temporary two-year extensions to the rule that requires taxis to be less than ten years old. All of these are practical responses and very necessary responses for the taxi industry. Will the Taoiseach and his Government colleagues support the Sinn Féin motion?

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As I said earlier, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, met with the representatives of the taxi drivers last week and he has indicated that he will continue that engagement with them. I also made it clear that there is no question of taxi drivers not having access to new bus lanes. The Minister was very clear on that to me this morning. In my replies earlier to Deputy Boyd Barrett, who had raised the matter in Leaders' Questions, I also indicated that the Government was disposed to looking at aspects of the interventions so far in terms of helping businesses and people in particular sectors of the economy with income support above and beyond the pandemic unemployment payment itself.

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