On 17 December 2002 the Government approved the implementation, on a phased basis, of the recommendations of the taxi hardship panel in accordance with An Agreed Programme for Government. Any payments to be made as a result of this implementation will not represent compensation but rather compassionate payments in respect of extreme personal financial hardship experienced by taxi licence holders arising from the liberalisation of the taxi market.
The design and administration of a scheme to implement the recommendations of the panel will be carried out by a proposed commission for taxi regulation as this will ensure that applications are dealt with on a confidential and objective basis.
The preparation of the necessary legislation to support the establishment of that commission is proceeding as a matter of urgency in my Department. In addition, the post of chairman is the subject of consultation with the Department of Finance.