The conviction of taxi driver Raymond Shorten for the rape of two young women and one young child is shocking. This serial predator faces sentencing later this month, which is a matter for the courts. The case has caused significant public revulsion and alarm. Women get taxis at night not just to get home, but to get home safely without having to worry about being attacked. The notion that there could be any prospect of a taxi driver either having convictions for sexual violence or facing trial for such offences is therefore the stuff of nightmares. As the Taoiseach will know, An Garda Síochána regulates taxi driver licences and has the power to revoke licences in certain circumstances. The question I and many other women have is whether those powers are strong enough. Are licences suspended before conviction if taxi drivers are charged with sexual offences? Are licences revoked when drivers are convicted of sexual offences other than rape? Tomorrow, the Dáil will debate the Social Democrats' motion. The Government has said it is not opposing it. Does that mean taxi regulations are now being reviewed?

It means we genuinely want to engage with the Deputy on this issue. Her party has put down a motion in good faith on a really important issue. I was reading through it earlier and know that it touches on a range of very important issues in this space. I accept that the motion was put down in good faith and that the Deputy is not asking me to comment on the specifics of a case that is before the courts. I have been assured that a person convicted of a sexual offence is disqualified from having a licence either for life or for a specified period. That is the law under the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. I am very open to having a debate tomorrow and seeing what further measures need to be taken in respect of those regulations. We are happy to engage on this and to see whether there is a need to review the regulations further.