Advisory Committee on SPSVs

Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles

Meetings

Meeting Agenda/Minutes/Papers Presentation
26 January 2023 January 2023 Minutes Advisory Committee on SPSV’s
Remote Meeting
23 February 2023 February 2023 Attendance of Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan
30 March 2023 March 2023 Creation of Driver Guide/Online Course, Data Capture/Technology
27 April 2023 April 2023 April Meeting of SPSV Advisory Committee
25 May 2023 May 2023 City Centre College Green, Driver Guide Course, the practice of “multi-apping”
29 June 2023 June 2023 Advice on cancelled bookings and the practice of “multi-apping”, Driver Check
27 July 2023 July 2023 DAA permits., Driver Check App, Advice on cancelled bookings
28 September 2023 September 2023 Data Capture by Digitax Technical Director- A Record 850 Driver Skills Tests completed in August 2023
26 October 2023 October 2023 Advisory Committee – Status as a State Board upate; WAV Grant query re tax compliance

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. 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.
Alan Cooley

President of the Irish Taxi Drivers’ Federation (ITDF)
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)
Brendan O’Brien Brendan O’Brien was  appointed to the Advisory Committee in September 2022.

Brendan O’Brien is Head of Technical Services (Traffic) at Dublin City Council

Brendan Heads up the Traffic and public lighting departments of Dublin City Council whose aim is to facilitate  the safe and efficient movement of people and goods in the city. He is responsible for day to day traffic management in the city and the coordination of mobility projects in the city.

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) 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.

Position Available

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

  1. representing the interests of all consumers, including at a regional or national level.
  2. placing Customer Expectations are at the core of decisions and discussions
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) Mai Quaid Mai Quaid has been engaged with Active Retirement Network Ireland for over 15 years, firstly as a Development Officer and then as the National President and Chairperson of the Board.

Mai also serves on the Board of the Wicklow Sports Partnership and is the Company Secretary of the Board of Wicklow Tourism. Mai is also the Chairperson of the Older Peoples Council in Wicklow and serve on the Age Friendly Alliance committee. I continue my involvement with groups throughout County Wicklow and have also established social links with groups in Belfast.

Tourism (at least 1) Mr. Paul Keeley

Paul Keeley – Director, Regional Development, Fáilte Ireland

Paul is accountable for the national tourism development authority’s regional development function, with additional responsibilities for visitor engagement, visitor mobility and orientation, and industry digitisation. Since joining Fáilte Ireland in 2004, Paul has been actively involved in leading the development of the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Dublin brands and associated visitor experiences. He has previously led the agency’s commercial development and marketing functions and played leading roles on the activation of Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, Volvo Ocean Race and other major sports events.

Prior to joining Fáilte Ireland, Paul worked in a variety of marketing roles with well-known businesses including Musgrave SuperValu Centra; Vodafone, Diageo, GlaxoSmithKline and Cantrell & Cochrane.

Special interest or expertise in matters relating to the functions of the Authority, the Advisory Committee or related matters (at least 4)

 

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.

Paul Gregan

Paul was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2022.

He is Managing Director of Gregan Tours Ireland and is also Chairman of The Irish Chauffeur Tourism Association (ICTA). He has over 25years experience in the SPSV industry. Paul is committed to a review and modernisation of procedures and legislation in the SPSV industry for the betterment of both operators and the public alike.

Harpreet Singh Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles Harpreet was appointed to the Advisory Committee in 2024.

He has been in the Taxi Industry for the last 5 years, serving in the Westmeath area.
Harpreet holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from GNDU Amritsar.

Position Available

Candidates must demonstrate in their application (by CV and cover letter to secretary@spsvadvcomm.ie) substantial evidence of a special interest or expertise in matters relating to the functions of the Authority, the Advisory Committee or related matters.