Three Dublin taxi drivers' unions have called for a three-hour protest next week over what they claim is a failure by the Government to address their grievances.
These grievances include the appointment of a regulator to the taxi industry, lowering drivers' incomes and the high cost of insurance.
They are also angered at the number of part-time drivers who have full-time jobs during the week and use the taxi industry as a supplementary income at night or weekends.
SIPTU's Dublin taxi drivers' branch, the National Taxi Drivers' Union and the Irish Taxi Drivers' Federation have all called for their members to join the protest next Thursday. They will assemble at the Papal Cross in the Phoenix Park and drive en masse to the Dáil on Kildare Street.
SIPTU spokesman Mr Jerry Brennan said the taxi industry was in "chaos" because of the way deregulation was introduced in 2000. He said the unions were demanding action from the Minister for Tranport, Mr Brennan, "to alleviate the hardship caused to drivers" by deregulation.
"This is in the interests of the industry and for the safety of the travelling public," he said.
A protest by drivers in November 2000 turned violent after marchers broke through a police barrier blocking access to the Dáil. There were several minor injuries and one man was arrested.
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