The Tánaiste Simon Coveney has said women need to be able to feel safe when they get into a taxi.

It comes after a taxi driver who pleaded guilty to three sexual assaults was remanded on bail.

This was on condition that no female passenger could travel in the front seat of his car.

He is set be sentenced at a later date.

Sinn Féin's Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire raised concerns in the Dáil about the safety of people in taxis.

"I accept that court decisions and sentencing are the remit of the judiciary and I will not be commenting in a way that influences that, although the Tánaiste will know that I am anxious for sentencing guidelines to be introduced to ensure consistent and fair sentencing.

"What I want to raise with the Tánaiste is the safety of women.

Mr Coveney agreed it has to be looked at.

He told the Dáil: "I can understand the Deputy's concern but we need to be careful about what we say here in the context of individual cases, particularly when there are court cases ongoing.

"I am not familiar with the status of the court case so I need to be careful.

"I would like to say more generally that the Government is totally committed to preventing and addressing sexual abuse and gender based violence.

"Increased reporting of sexual crime to An Garda Síochána can be seen in some ways as a success in that victims feel more confident in reporting these crimes today."

"I know the Deputy is looking for a more specific answer from me.

"I have to say as a father of three daughters, it is important that parents and young people can have faith that when they get into a taxi they're safe.

"But I need to be careful in referring to any individual case - but I will try to come back to the Deputy later, having taken some advice on it, to give him a more detailed answer."