Taxi Unions slam SIPTU over strike

Nearly 1,500 Dublin taxi drivers were continuing a 12 hour walk-out this morning to mark the first anniversary of the controversial deregulation of their industry.

Members of the public service union SIPTU started the strike at midnight, complaining that they have lost almost £316m in the last year as deregulation wiped out the value of taxi licence plates.

Despite the action, which will end at midday, there were no reports of major disruption as several thousand drivers from the National Taxi Drivers Union and Taxi Drivers Federation refused to take part.

Instead they have protested in a letter to the Government.

At the time of the move, by Minister Robert Molloy, there were widespread strikes and blockades.

Since then, the number of taxis has ballooned from 2,700 to 7,000 - a move welcomed by Dubliners who struggle for taxis, but condemned by drivers who say it has destroyed their assets.

Prior to deregulation taxi plates had an average value of £80,000 and some drivers regarded their future sale or rental as part of their pension.

But deregulation slashed the cost of a licence by more than three times, unions said.

Drivers claimed that many of their number stand to lose their homes as they cannot keep up with mortgage repayments.

They are calling on the Government to provide compensation for those affected.