Taxi drivers in Killarney are demanding a public apology from the town council "of Ireland's number one tourist town" on foot of a submission to the commission for taxi regulation.
The submission, which does not specify the town's taxi drivers but speaks in general terms, was released to the taxi drivers under the Freedom of Information Act. It says there is concern among the public about deteriorating standards in taxis and calls for regulation of the industry.
"People must feel safe when hailing taxis at night. For years they have been subjected to a hugely inefficient, expensive and infrequent taxi service," it said. Consumers have complained of "dirty run-down cars, abusive and inconsiderate drivers".
Killarney's submission to the commission also claims there is "widespread overcharging" and calls for a minimum level of training and knowledge of one's town and effective background and character checks. "The taxi service is now out of control and some taxi drivers represent a real danger to the travelling public. There has been numerous attacks on members of the public travelling in taxis," the submission continues.
It also cites complaints of lack of access to taxis by people with disabilities, and of inadequate levels of service at night because there is no compulsion on taxis to work at night and at weekends.
Addressing Killarney Town Council on Monday night, the chairman of the Killarney taxi association, Brian McCarthy, said he was appalled at the aspersions cast on taxi drivers.
The matter was brought to his attention at an Irish Hotels Federation meeting in Dublin at which taxi regulator Ger Deering "slagged off Killarney taxis", he said.
He requested a copy of the submission from the town council but was forced to apply for it under the Freedom of Information Act.
Killarney mayor Sheila Casey said there was nothing in the submission that referred specifically to Killarney. It was a submission to a national body on a national issue.
Cllr Niall O'Callaghan said Killarney taxi drivers were honourable, decent people.
The council agreed to write to Mr Deering to state the September 2005 submission referred to national issues only.