Taxis bring Dublin to a standstill in protest

Traffic came to a standstill in Dublin city centre today as taxi drivers staged a rally in protest at industry conditions.

Nearly 500 drivers made their way from Phoenix Park to Merrion Square, where they left their cabs and handed in a letter to Transport Minister Seamus Brennan.

Thousands of their colleagues stopped work at 4am today and will not return until 4am tomorrow.

They are protesting at what they have called the minister’s failure to introduce a full-time regulator of their industry.

In February he announced the employment of an interim regulator to hold the post until a permanent one was found.

Outside the Dáil around 1,000 protesters voiced their concerns to opposition politicians.

John Usher, president of the Irish Taxi Federation, said the industry had to be reformed.

He told the crowds: “When you see 10,000 people stop for a day at their own expense something has to be radically wrong.”

SIPTU branch secretary for taxi drivers Jerry Brennan said: “In the past people have tried to describe us as hooligans. That has been put to bed today.”

Mr Brennan vowed to shape up the “jungle-type operation” of the taxi industry in light of the protest.

He said he hoped to pass new laws before the summer to ensure that people felt safe when hailing taxis in the capital.

“I acknowledge that there is a lot of pressure and unhappiness in the taxi industry,” Mr Brennan said.

“The number of taxis went from 3,000 to 10,000 in Dublin city in a period of just two years.

“That has led to what I have called a jungle-type operation out there and it is very unsatisfactory.”

He said he was working “around the clock” to get new legislation through the Dáil in the next two weeks.

An advertisement is due to appear in next week’s national newspapers seeking a full-time regulator.

Mr Brennan is also choosing representatives from the taxi industry, tourism sector and consumers to sit on a permanent taxi council.

He added: “We are trying to knock the industry into a professional shape so that people feel safe in taxis.

“The legislation approved by the Cabinet this morning will go a long way to tidying up an industry which needs to be tidied up and professionalised.”