Taxis off the road in regulator row

Thousands of taxi drivers are withdrawing their services today, in a 24-hour protest to last until 4am tomorrow.

It is in protest at the Government's failure to appoint a full time regulator to the sector.

All three taxi unions - SIPTU, the National Taxi Drivers Union and the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation - are joining forces for the protest action, which includes a demonstration in Dublin.

Up to 1,000 drivers are expected to gather at the Phoenix Park for a rally at noon.

NTDU spokesman Vincent Kearns said the Government pledged to appoint a taxi regulator following the deregulation of the industry more than two years ago, but has so far failed to do so.

He said this situation has led to unqualified and sometimes unsavoury drivers receiving licences to operate taxis.

"We have no control over the industry whatsoever," Mr Kearns said.

"We are looking for strict entry criteria and certain qualitative standards for those entering the business. We believe that a moratorium should be put in place until the regulator is in place."