HUNDREDS of taxi drivers are lodging claims against the State over its decision to de-regulate the industry.

TAXI leaders have warned they will stage further public protests if Transport Minister Seamus Brennan fails to address issues of concern they raised with him during talks yesterday.

Political Editor

TAXI drivers are staging a nationwide three-hour strike next Thursday in protest at the lack of progress on Government promises to alleviate hardship in the industry since deregulation.

The controversial decision to deregulate the taxi industry is back in the High Court this morning as the application by the National Taxi Drivers' Union to reverse the Government's decision is heard.