Taxi Regulations
Seanad Éireann — 2025-12-09
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Frankie Feighan (FG), Sligo-Leitrim

I thank the Senator for his question and I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien.
I wish to clarify that the National Transport Authority, NTA, is the independent transport regulator of the small public service vehicle, SPSV, sector,, that is, taxis and hackneys. The Minister for Transport is not involved in the day-to-day operation of that sector and notes recent developments regarding taxi protests.
Ireland has a robust regulatory framework for taxis and hackneys, which require that all drivers and vehicles be licensed as a means to protect the consumer and help ensure public safety. Furthermore, no special regulations have been developed to govern the carriage of passengers by passenger cars that are not small public service vehicles. Therefore, the classic model where anyone with a car and the relevant app may provide taxi services does not exist here. Protection of the consumer and personal safety are vital objectives and must continue to be central to how the SPSV industry is regulated and operated.
In November 2025, Uber Ireland introduced a new option on its platform, providing customers with a single maximum price for a trip before requesting.
The option is referred to on the platform as "taxi fixed price". Usually, when booking a taxi with Uber or other dispatch operators, a price range of the approximate cost of the journey is shown. With the Uber taxi-fixed-price option, the customer will now be provided with a maximum guaranteed price upfront. If the final price on the taximeter is less than the designated maximum price provided, users pay the lower price. If the final price on the taximeter is greater than the maximum price, users pay the maximum price.
From a legislative perspective, section 24 of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016 empowers the NTA board to make a maximum fares order to fix the maximum fare that may be charged by the driver of a taxi for any journey. The current maximum fares order took effect in December 2024, and a maximum fare review is carried out approximately every two years. The NTA has conducted these reviews since 2011. Hackneys and limousines agree their fares in advance and do not use meters.
As set out in the legislation, charging more than the maximum fare can lead to prosecution. However, charging below the maximum fare is permitted. The Minister understands that the Uber fixed-price offer does not breach the maximum fare regulatory provisions for taxis. Neither does it constitute an offence associated with the misuse of taximeters set out by the NTA in the Small Public Service Vehicle (Fixed Payment Offences and Driver Licence Period) Regulations 2022. SPSV operators are self-employed and may decide whether or not to sign up with a licensed dispatch operator, such as Uber. They are not obliged to be affiliated with any dispatch operator. Where they choose to do so, taxi drivers are free to contract with a dispatch operator of their choice.
Neither the Minister nor the NTA are parties to the commercial or contractual arrangements between SPSV drivers and their dispatch operators. Accordingly, the Department and the NTA have no role in the approval of such matters.
Senator Craughwell raised that one individual, a family or company can have up to 100 or 200 plates. That is a very disturbing matter. I will bring the issue to the attention of the Minister.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2025-12-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:26+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-09