DUBLIN and Cork airports and the capital’s O’Connell Street were among the areas targeted by taxi drivers yesterday.

TAXI driver groups have given a guarded welcome to a series of reforms for the industry announced by the Commission for Taxi Regulation.

Taxi drivers staging a 24-hour work stoppage tonight vowed to step up their campaign for better working conditions.

PARTYGOERS hoping to ring in 2008 with a glass of champagne or a few pints will have to queue for taxis or designate a driver, as public transport will not be available in most parts of the country for one of the busiest nights of the year.

Partygoers were today urged to take personal responsibility for their drinking to ensure a safe New Year for all.

THE threat of further taxi strikes receded yesterday after taxi unions achieved progress in talks with the Department of Transport.

Officials at the Department of Transport were today preparing to intervene in the increasingly bitter dispute by taxi drivers against new fare structures.

LEADERS of the main taxi unions yesterday dared regulator Ger Deering to defend his national fares structure in front of angry drivers.

GOLF fans attending the Ryder Cup in September face the possibility of travel chaos after taxi drivers warned that a work stoppage during the tournament was a possibility.

A STATE advisory body is seeking the introduction of new laws, including a “hate crime” to combat an upsurge in racist incidents.

TAXI drivers in Dublin are threatening a series of one-day stoppages unless the Government introduces an immediate moratorium on the issuing of licences.

TAXI drivers in Dublin are threatening a series of one-day stoppages unless the Government introduces an immediate moratorium on the issuing of licences.

TAXI drivers throughout the country are to gather in Dublin next month for their biggest protest against deregulation.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary came under fire today after it emerged he had registered his Mercedes as a taxi in a bid to dodge city traffic jams.