Regulations to crack down on Dublin rickshaw drivers are in the pipeline

REGULATIONS FOR UNLICENSED rickshaw drivers operating in Dublin city centre could be on the way after calls to crack down on the pedal-taxi operators.

Transport Minister Shane Ross confirmed discussions have recently taken place between Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority, with the two parties agreeing a proposed approach to regulating pedal-powered rickshaws.

Controlling the sector would require the drafting of new legislation, Ross said. He added that his department is now engaged with the NTA “to clearly frame the policy to guide any detailed legislative drafting”.

“I will consider the legislative proposals which emerge when this work has been progressed, following which I should be in a position to outline an indicative legislative timeframe,” he said.

Pedal rickshaws have been operating in a legal grey area for years as current taxi laws only apply to motorised vehicles.

Progress

The move follows calls last year from Dublin City Council for the sector to be better regulated.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, the Irish Independent newspaper reported that a number of rickshaw drivers in the city are selling class-A drugs while they work.

Asked about the matter in the Dáil this week, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said reports of drug dealing in the city would be matter for Department of Justice and gardaí.

This is not the first time rickshaws have come to the attention to the authorities. Last year, gardaí conducted over 100 night-time inspections of rickshaws in Dublin in a joint operation with Revenue inspectors.

Sinn Féin TD Dessie Ellis has also asked the minister if the NTA has received legal advice regarding rickshaws carrying passengers for hire “operating without a licence, in some cases without insurance, proper driver vetting or roadworthiness certificate”.

Ross said the key focus of any regulations introduced would be on “passenger safety”.

Written by Christina Finn and posted on TheJournal.ie