Advisory Committee on SPSVs

Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles

Meetings

Meeting Agenda/Minutes/Papers Presentation
28 January 2021 January 2021 Advisory Committee on SPSVs – Membership, Functions, Consultation, Confidentiality
25 February 2021 February 2021 SPSV Compliance  – Update 2020, Grants, Uber BV & others v Aslam & others (UK Supreme Court)
25 March 2021 March 2021 NTA Transport Design and Planning Update – Impacts on SPSV operations (BusConnects, etc.)
29 April 2021 April 2021
 Attendance of Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan
27 May 2021 Draft Agenda May 2021 COVID-19 2020 Actions/Reactions
24 June 2021   NTA Connecting Ireland Design and Planning Update – Impacts on SPSV operations

Membership of the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles

The following members of the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles have been appointed by the Minister for Transport under Part 9 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, representing the sectors set out under that Act, to advise the Authority or the Minister, as appropriate, in relation to issues relevant to small public service vehicles and their drivers.

Each member may serve a three year term and may be reappointed by the Minister.

Membership of Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles
Chairperson Mr. Cornelius O’Donohue Con O’Donohue was appointed Chairperson of the Advisory Committee in 2019, having served as an ordinary member since 2012.

He previously served as a Superintendent in An Garda Síochána where his responsibilities included public transport, road transport and road safety. He holds a Bachelor of Science, Management, and Diplomas in Legal Studies and Management Law.
Ordinary Member Representing:  
Small public service vehicle and driver interests (at least 4) Mr. Kevin Finn Kevin was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2019, having previously served from 2012 -2015.

A taxi driver since 1998, he was appointed to the Taxi Regulation Review Group set up by former Minister for State Alan Kelly in June 2011.  In February 2012, he was appointed to the Taxi Advisory Committee which advice the Commissioner for Taxi Regulation and the Minister for Transport.  Kevin operates in the Kerry region.
Mr. John Murphy John was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2019.

John is currently the managing director of Procabs Galway. He has been involved in the Taxi business for over 30 years. John is heavily invested in the continued success of the Taxi Industry.
Mr Shajedul Chowdhury Shajedul was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2021.

He is a taxi driver serving the Limerick area since 2016 and has a keen interest in the regrowth and success of the SPSV industry in cities and rural areas, together with accessible vehicle service provision and sustainability. Shajedul holds a Masters degree in Social Science
Mr Francis Doheny Francis was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2021.  He  is currently the Secretary of the Newbidge & District Taxi Association. He has operated as a hackney and taxi driver since 1994, in both the rental and owner operator sectors in Laois, Carlow, Kildare and Offaly, and has a keen interest in a review of insurance costs,  rank provision and accessible vehicle service provision. Francis is a currently a member of the Curragh First Responders.
Position Available

Candidates must demonstrate in their application (by CV and cover letter to secretary@spsvadvcomm.ie) substantial evidence of:

  1. operating in urban and/or rural Ireland; and
  2. representing the interests of SPSV drivers and vehicle owners at a regional or national level.
Local Authorities (at least 1) Ms. Mary Henchy Mary was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2019, having previously served from 2016-2019.

She has worked in the Local Authority Sector for 30 years and is currently Director of Service in DLR County Council. Mary Holds a Bachelors in Soc Sc, a Masters in Regional and Urban Planning and Post Graduate Diplomas in Environmental Engineering, Management and Employment Law.

 
An Garda Síochána (at least 1) Superintendent Tom Murphy

 

 Tom was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2019.

He is currently a Superintendent and Deputy Head of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, based in Garda Headquarters.  Tom holds a Batchelor of Science (Hons) in Leadership & Governance and is currently studying for a MSc in Emergency Management.

 
Consumers (at least 2) Mr. James Cawley

 

 James was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2019.

He is a member of the Independent Living Movement Ireland, with a BA in Business and Geography and a Professional Masters of Education at Maynooth University. Prior to his role with ILMI James was a secondary school teacher and has carried out research on disability issues on a National and European level. He is also a board member of the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN).
Ms Michelle Reid Michelle was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2021.

Michelle is currently Senior Manager – Arts Programme at Business to Arts, a non-profit which brokers and enables creative partnerships. She has 15 years’ experience working in international conference management and arts management. Michelle holds a BA in Business & Politics from Trinity and an MA in Cultural Policy from UCD.
 

 

 

Persons with Disabilities (at least 1)

 Ms. Joan Carthy Joan was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2019.

She is the National Advocacy Manager for the Irish Wheelchair Association and has worked in the area of advocacy for over 25 years, supporting people who had acquired a disability and their families.
Business (at least 1) Ms. Ann Campbell Ann Campbell was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2019.

She has been self-employed in the tourism sector for over 30 years.  Ann holds a diploma in Tourism from St. Angela’s college and a diploma in corporate governance from University College Dublin.  She is also a board member of B&B Ireland and Failte Ireland Sligo Taskforce.
Older Persons (at least 1) Mr. Peter Fleming Peter was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2019.

He established his own taxi company in 1996 which he subsequently sold to National Radio Cabs in 2016.  He continues to work as an advisor to National Radio Cabs.

Peter currently serves on the board of the Medical Council of Ireland to the Fitness to Practice Committee and is a Director of Beaufort Day Care Centre for the past 3 years.
Tourism (at least 1) Mr. Al Ryan Al was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2012.

He is an experienced hotel professional and a member of the Irish Hotels Federation.  Al recognises the SPSV industry as a key tourist partner.
Special interest or expertise in matters relating to the functions of the Authority, the Advisory Committee or related matters (at least 4)

 

 Mr. Noel Ebbs Noel was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2019 having previously served from 2016 – 2019.

Noel is a tech entrepreneur who has more than 20 years experience in taxi technology. He is currently CEO of Lynk Taxis, who specialise in taxis for business.  Lynk is also in the taxi rental sector, renting taxis to drivers on a fixed and flexible basis to taxi drivers. Noel is committed to reducing carbon emissions by expanding the number of hybrid and fully electric vehicles within the SPSV sector.

 
Mr. James O’Brien

 

 James was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2019.

James holds a Bachelor of Engineering and certificates in Road Haulage & Road Passenger Transport with The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.  James now works with “ASSESS IRELAND” an Automotive Engineering firm.
Mr. Martin Plummer Martin was appointed to the Advisory Committee in February 2021, having previously served from 2011 – 2018.

Martin started out as a taxi driver before moving fulltime to the chauffeur side of the industry over 30 years ago. He served as Treasurer of the National Chauffeur Drivers Association Limited for 5 years and has been the Association’s Chairperson for the past 12 years.
Ms. Fiona Brady Fiona was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2021.

She is the Head of Operations for FREE NOW Ireland.  Starting out in Dublin Bus Fiona has over 18 years of experience in transport and mobility covering public transport, private and tech industries.  Within Free Now Ireland Fiona drives the sustainability and innovation agenda.  Fiona holds an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science, CID certification and a Diploma in Management Studies, Transport and Aviation.