Bagenalstown taxi licence
Deputy Murnane O'Connor described a dispute over an NTA refusal of a taxi licence in Bagenalstown despite local need. The Minister said he would raise the case with the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, and seek a direct response.
A taxi driver in Bagenalstown was refused a licence because the NTA said there were nine existing services. There is only one taxi service in Bagenalstown; the other eight have to come from Carlow. The man in question spent more than €20,000 on his car. Some 50 or so people have signed letters calling for the service in Bagenalstown, which is a rural part of the county. Carlow County Council granted the licence because it said it was needed. Then the NTA refused it. Is the NTA forgetting about rural Ireland? We need taxis in rural Ireland. Can the Minister please help me on this? People want rural taxi drivers in Bagenalstown.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for raising this matter regarding Carlow, which is of no surprise to me. A matter relating to Carlow is raised every day. This is a serious issue. I do not take it lightly. If the Deputy can give me the details, I will raise the issue with the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, and get him to look into it and respond directly to the Deputy.