Taxi families say Brennan hardship plan is a sham

THE Dublin-based lobby group that represents the wives, widows and partners of pre-deregulation taxi drivers yesterday described Transport Minister Seamus Brennan’s plan to ease their hardship as a sham.

FAIR Families Advocate Immediate Redress said many families, who were still repaying €900 per month for their taxi plate, would not receive a cent from the promised €15m hardship fund if Mr Brennan proceeded with his taxi hardship report as it stood.

Some individuals and families borrowed heavily to fund the purchase of taxi plates on the open but limited market. A taxi plate could cost up to €108,000 (£85,000) before deregulation was introduced. Since deregulation, a taxi plate costs €6,000.