Taxi drivers to strike in fares row

Up to 10,000 taxi drivers are today staging a seven-hour stoppage in protest at new fare structures.

The drivers, on strike from 6am to 1pm, are also expected to travel in convoy across Dublin to picket outside the offices of the taxi regulator.

The rally is set to cause travel chaos across the city.

The move comes after taxi regulator Ger Deering refused to attend a mass meeting of drivers in Dublin to answer their concerns.

Unions claim the new fare system will have a devastating impact on drivers’ incomes, costing the industry €1.5m.

It includes the introduction of minimum charges set at €3.80, or €4.10 at premium times, replacing the system where fares were set by individual local authorities. It will also see the abolition of luggage charges and a €1.50 hiring charge for pick-ups from Dublin Airport.

The Irish Taxi Drivers Federation, National Taxi Drivers Union and Siptu represent 14,000 of the country's 17,000 taxi drivers and has urged their members to meet at the Phoenix Park at 10am today, before driving to the office of The Commission for Taxi Regulation on Fitzwilliam Square.

Around 10,000 members have also threatened to strike during the prestigious Ryder Cup golf tournament during the week the new structures come into effect.

Mr Deering has warned that any strike then would harm the tourist industry.