Dublin taxi drivers threaten strike

Dublin's taxi-drivers may withdraw their service to support protest convoys next month, as part of their continuing campaign for new regulations in the industry.

Strike plans being drafted by members of SIPTU, the Irish Taxi Drivers' Federation and the National Taxi Drivers' Union would see transport in the capital severely disrupted at one of the busiest times of the year.

According to Mr Vincent Kearns, of the National Taxi Driver's Federation, deregulation has not served the customer, with a rise in the number of assaults on passengers by new taxi-drivers, and an increase in the number of older cars being used as taxis.

The drivers are also concerned about the number of taxi spaces in the city, given that the taxi fleet has grown from about 3,000 to 10,000 since deregulation. Many taxi-drivers, who had paid sums of between €80,000 and €100,000 for licences, saw the value wiped out by deregulation.

The interim regulator appointed by the Government, Mr Jim Farrelly, is finalising a report on the status of the industry for the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan. However, drivers are angry that their most recent request for a fare increase had not yet been granted. They have called for the disbandment of the committee comprising members of the four Dublin local authorities, which approves such increases.

In a letter to the Minister, Mr Kearns said drivers felt the management of the taxi service had "reached the point where we can no longer continue our efforts to work in partnership and co-operation with local authorities".

Mr Kearns said the application for a fare increase was lodged last December. He said the local authorities had had difficulties with calling a meeting of the committee to address the issue and this had delayed the process.

Ballot papers on strike action are expected to be sent to members this week and, if approved, the strike could get under way in early June, during the Special Olympics, expected to be one of the busiest times for tourism.