Taxi drivers are to hold another work stoppage, the third since July, following the refusal yesterday of the taxi regulator Ger Deering to attend a mass meeting of drivers.
However, unlike previous 24- hour stoppages, the withdrawal of service will last from 6am to 1pm only on September 4th.
The three main taxi unions, the National Taxi Drivers' Union (NTDU), Siptu and the Taxi Drivers' Federation had invited Mr Deering to an open meeting to respond to their members' grievances.
Union leaders said last night that they would go ahead with plans to boycott next month's Ryder Cup if Mr Deering failed to respond to their protests over industry changes, which include the introduction of a new national fare and the removal of certain charges.
Mr Deering said yesterday that a mass meeting was not the right forum for constructive discussion, but he continued to be open to talks.
NTDU president Tommy Gorman said last night that this was not acceptable to the unions and their members and they would be holding a work stoppage to allow drivers to meet in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, before driving in cavalcade to Mr Deering's office in Fitzwilliam Square.
"We are organising this stoppage in order to have a national assembly of drivers because if Ger Deering won't come to us we will go to him . . . We are a bit sick and tired of the same spiel from him, drivers are getting tired of just listening to him and want to talk to him face to face."
Drivers will still target the Ryder Cup in their protest if Mr Deering does not respond to the protest, although the extent of the boycott has not yet been determined.
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