Authority in bid to curb city's rickshaws
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is seeking legal advice in an attempt to stop rickshaw drivers operating in the city without a licence, according to Dublin City Council (DCC). Currently, there is no legislation or by-laws in place to regulate pedal cycles for hire or reward.
Following discussions between the National Transport Authority and Dublin City Council, the NTA is seeking the opinion of senior counsel to determine whether it has the authority to regulate battery-powered rickshaws.
A statement from DCC said that it is still unsure as to whether it has the power to regulate or if it is a matter for the Department of Transport.
"Following further discussions in relation to the regulation of rickshaw operations, the NTA's solicitors have submitted a detailed brief seeking senior counsel's opinion on a number of issues," the statement said.
accident
Independent Dublin City Councillor, Cieran Perry, has been pushing DCC on the issue since 2013, and says that the worry is who will be accountable if an accident occurs.
"My fear would be that if somebody's vehicle got clipped by one of these, who would be accountable?" Mr Perry told the Herald.
"It wouldn't be the rickshaw driver, because they don't have a licence. So it would either be Dublin City Council or the Department of Transport."
Mr Perry initially put in a question to DCC in December 2013, on whether the rickshaw drivers required a licence, with the council replying that although no legislation was in place at the time, it was in favour of regulation.