Government will not oppose a Social Democrat call for a review of Garda powers to revoke or suspend taxi licences when drivers are charged with sexual offences.

Speaking on his way into Cabinet this morning, Taoiseach Simon Harris said it is “really important” that people can be sure they are getting into a safe environment when they hail a taxi.

He said the Government’s Zero Tolerance Strategy to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is targeted at every section of society, adding, “we must always be looking at other things that we can do to get there”.

The Dáil will tomorrow debate the Social Democrats motion, which calls for a review of taxi driver licence regulations to ensure there are sufficiently strong protections in place.

Holly Cairns speaking in Dublin after being elected leader of the Social Democrats in March 2023. Picture by: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

Speaking ahead of the motion, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said it is currently unclear whether taxi drivers automatically lose their SPSV (Small Public Service Vehicle) licence when they are convicted of a sexual offence.

She said it is also unclear whether the licences can be suspended while someone who is charged with a sexual offence awaits trial.

“Women get taxis at night because they want to get home safely,” she said.

“The prospect that they could be getting into taxis driven by men who have either been charged with or convicted of sexual offences is horrifying – it is the stuff of nightmares for women.”

‘Passengers need to know they are safe’

Government will not oppose Social Democrat calls for a review of Garda powers to revoke taxi licences when drivers are charged with sexual offences.

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) July 9, 2024

Speaking this morning, Simon Harris said Government would not be opposing the Social Democrats motion.

“When we talk about zero tolerance, it is zero tolerance in every aspect of society and every aspect of the economy and we must always be looking at other things that we can do to get there,” he said.

“Of course, like any profession, like any career, we can’t obviously generalize in any way, shape or form but it is really important that when people get in a car, get in a taxi that they know they are getting into an environment that is safe and it is also important that they can have information about the drivers.”

Zero Tolerance

He noted that there is already an app available where passengers can check up on a driver – and said authorities need to do more to promote the tools that are available to passengers.

“I do think, absolutely, we do need to give very serious consideration to sensible suggestions being put forward,” he said.

“As I say, when it comes to zero tolerance, Government doesn’t profess to have a monopoly on this – I will certainly work - as will the minister - with the Social Democrats on this.”

Taxi licences

The Social Democrats motion comes after it emerged that a Dublin taxi driver who was last month convicted of raping two passengers is also awaiting sentence for raping a seven-year-old girl over ten years ago.

Currently, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has authority over SPSV vehicle licences while Gardaí have authority over SPSV driver licences.

According to the NTA, a licence can be revoked “at any time” if authorities are satisfied the driver “is no longer a suitable person to hold a licence”.

In order to do so, they must consider whether the driver has broken any regulations under the Taxi Regulation Act or has been convicted of any offence.

It notes that authorities must consider the need to ensure the safety and welfare of passengers, while also considering any conduct by the licence holder “which calls into question the holder’s suitability to hold the licence”.

It said authorities can also suspend a licence for a maximum of three months.

Should authorities decide not to suspend or revoke a licence, they have powers to issue the river with a reprimand, warning, caution or advice.

If you are impacted by the issues raised in this article you can contact the 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800 77 8888