Cork taxi head reassures customers over vehicle safety

Customers have been assured of the safety of taxis operating in Cork by the Cork branch of the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation.

It follows last night's 'Prime Time' investigates programme which claimed that a number of unroadworthy taxis in Dublin passed the NCT test after cash was handed over to individuals.

The programme alleged that a number of NCT testers took bribes to give vehicles certificates of roadworthiness even though they should be failed.

However, Derry Coughlan the Cork representative for the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation has said that he has never come across this practice.

Mr Coughlan said: "Everything is above board in Cork, the NCT are reasonable and very efficient with us. They give us every chance to rectify things and get our vehicles in order and the same with the SDS licencing authority in Cork.

"I am aware that it is happening elsewhere and it is in other counties outside of Dublin, but definitely not in Cork."