Political push behind deregulation

AT 8pm on November 21, 2000, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment Bobby Molloy signed into law orders making taxi licences available to anyone who could drive, had €5,000 and a roadworthy vehicle, stating: “I do hope that what we have done will now once and for all solve the chronic taxi service problems in Dublin.

As people apply for the licences the industry will grow and the service to the public will become a reliable one and there will be taxis when they are required.”

Across the road from the Dáil in Buswells Hotel sat general secretary of the National Taxi Drivers’ Union, Tommy Gorman, and other representatives of the country’s then fewer than 5,000 taxi drivers.