The new bill will legally oblige Irish taxi drivers to take the shortest route possible for their fare paying customers.

Failure for drivers to comply with new legislative regulations could result in mandatory disqualification from holding a licence if prosecuted.

The bill is up for debate in the Dail early next year and will permit the National Transport Authority (NTA) to access footage of the driver’s CCTV footage as evidence in court.

The Garda Síochána currently control the vetting process and grant taxi licences to drivers but the bill would see this process move to the NTA.

Drivers must also care for the needs of anyone with special needs, inform the licensing authority with any changes in their physical or mental state and accept the fare with dispatch operators if agreed in advance of the journey.

The bill’s compulsory regulation whereby drivers must legally take the shortest route will benefit the passenger much like the London black taxi.

The driver of a London hackney carriage is required to chose the quickest route to the passenger’s destination considering road works, traffic and weather conditions without relying on a map, sat nav or radio controller.