Taxi drivers mount stoppage over lack of regulator

Thousands of taxi drivers have gone on strike today in protest at the Government's failure to appoint a full-time taxi regulator with statutory powers.

The stoppage was organised by SIPTU, the National Taxi Drivers Union and the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation, who also arranged a motorcade protest of 450 vehicles from the Phoenix Park to the Dail in Dublin at noon.

NTDU spokesman Vincent Kearns said the Government vowed 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."