6. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Authority is the licensing authority for the purposes of this Act.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Garda Síochána shall be the licensing authority to grant licences to drive small public service vehicles until such time as an order is made under subsection (3).

(3) The Minister may make an order specifying a date from which the Garda Síochána shall cease to be the licensing authority to grant licences to drive small public service vehicles for the purposes of this Act.

(4) An order under subsection (3) may include transitional provisions, including provision as respects the person who shall determine any licensing applications made before the order takes effect and which have not been determined when the order takes effect.