Taxi drivers begin three-hour stoppage

Hundreds of taxi drivers have gathered in the Phoenix Park today as part of a three-hour stoppage to protest at the fallout from the deregulation of the industry two years ago.

A small convoy also made its way to the Dail to hand a letter to the Government outlining the concerns of Ireland's three taxi unions, the National Taxi Drivers Union, the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation and SIPTU.

The taxi drivers embarked on the stoppage to protest at the Government's delay in appointing a taxi regulator, as well as the erosion of taxi drivers' incomes since deregulation and the growing number of full-time workers who operate taxis on a part-time basis on evenings and weekends.