‘Cautious optimism’ on airport taxi deal

Taxi driver representatives have expressed “cautious optimism” they can reach a permanent settlement over the next few days with the Dublin Airport Authority to end a row over taxi spaces in a temporary overflow area.

However, taxi drivers said there was still no agreement with the DAA on the issue despite intensive talks over the past 10 days.

A short-term settlement was agreed on Aug 24 after taxi drivers had staged a two-day wildcat strike at the airport in protest at the DAA’s decision to withdraw access to about 55 spaces in an overflow area where licence holders waited before being called to ranks outside terminal buildings.

Thousands of passengers were inconvenienced by the dispute.

The temporary settlement, which allowed taxi drivers to return to work at the airport, provided for the DAA to make the spaces available again until Sept 7 to allow both sides time to reach a resolution.

The deal, brokered under the direction of mediator Sheamus Sweeney, will allow the DAA to continue with its plans to make the site available for alternative uses if no deal has been reached by next Friday.

It is understood the DAA wants the site to facilitate plans for the opening of a McDonald’s.

A failure to resolve the issue could see taxi drivers again withdrawing from service at the airport and an escalation of their industrial action.

Both sides are due to hold a further meeting today at 2pm. It is believed taxi driver representatives have put forward a number of alternative sites within DAA lands which would be acceptable for use as a temporary holding area.

A spokesperson for the DAA declined to comment apart from confirming that talks were ongoing.