Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

"Iris Oifigiúil" of 11th October, 2011.

The National Transport Authority, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 34 of the section 13 of the section 43 of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 ), hereby makes the following regulations:

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (Driver Duties and Wheelchair Accessible Hackney and Wheelchair Accessible Taxi - Vehicle Standards) (Amendment) Regulations 2011.

2. Subparagraphs (a), (b) and (d) of Regulation 52(4) of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 1963 ( S.I. No. 191 of 1963 ) are revoked.

3. The Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (Wheelchair Accessible Hackney and Wheelchair Accessible Taxi - Vehicle Standards) Regulations 2010 ( S.I. No. 248 of 2010 ) are amended-

(a) by substituting for Regulation 2 the following Regulation:

"These Regulations shall come into operation-

(a) on 8 June 2010 in respect of applications for the grant of a wheelchair accessible hackney or a wheelchair accessible taxi licence, and

(b) on 8 June 2010 in respect of applications for the renewal of a licence referred to in paragraph (a).",

(b) by substituting for Regulation 6(1) the following Regulation:

"A vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence shall be constructed or converted specifically to accommodate at least one person seated in his or her wheelchair in addition to a minimum of three adult passengers.", and

(c) in Regulation 14(2) by inserting after "paragraph (1)" "documentary".

Given under the seal of the National Transport Authority,

26 September 2011.

JOHN FITZGERALD,

Chairperson,

National Transport Authority.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

These Regulations amend certain requirements in relation to the duties of small public service vehicle drivers.

They further amend vehicle standards requirements on licence renewal in respect of wheelchair accessible taxis and wheelchair accessible hackneys. Vehicle specifications are also amended.