Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan has again raised the issue of the knowledge test which people looking to operate as taxi and hackney drivers must sit in the Dáil today. Patrick O’Donovan told Minister of State Alan Kelly that the current system made it virtually impossible for an applicant to pass the test in a rural county.
The Limerick TD, who is a member of the Oireachtas Transport Committee told the Dáil that he had raised the issue on several occasions in the past. He gave examples of people in his constituency who had sat the test and because of the nature of the questions, which did not examine the person on the area where they would operate, but rather tested them on the whole county of Limerick were not able to take up jobs. He gave examples of where people along county boundaries would be expected to know the geography of places up to 80 miles, and more away, but would not necessarily have to have any knowledge of places within a few hundred yards from their base because of what he has termed the “lazy way in which candidates are tested.”
Patrick O’Donovan said he supported the concept of knowledge tests. He said it was important that drivers were examined on their suitability to drive a hackney or taxi. However he said that the current system needed to be overhauled and he urged the Minister to address the Department’s policy and to instruct the National Transport Authority, who carry out the tests, to ensure that the the area served would be examined rather than the whole county which is currently the situation.
Patrick O’Donovan also said that, in his opinion, the lack of hackney services in some rural areas was due to the onerous and unrealistic knowledge tests, and he said that the decision to introduce special local rural licences was proof that this was the case on the ground. He concluded that he intends to continue to pursue the matter through the Oireachtas Transport Committee.