Harney taxi comment criticised

The Taoiseach's brother, Mr Noel Ahern, has severely criticised the Tanaiste for suggesting taxi licensing should be deregulated.

Accusing Ms Harney of undermining the Taoiseach's own attempts to resolve the problem through the Taxi Forum, he said deregulation would throw many single-plate owners "on the scrap-heap" overnight.

Interviewed in yesterday's Sunday Business Post, Mr Ahern said he sincerely hoped the Government had no plans along the lines suggested by Ms Harney.

"I realise it's Christmas and in the absence of hard news, we must listen to some party leaders sounding off with their brain waves, but I must record my shock and horror at some of the headline-seeking comments of the Tanaiste," he said.

He accused the PD leader of being out of touch with recent developments in the taxi industry, with 400 new plates issued and agreement for a further 820 over the next three or four years.

"Shortages of taxis on December 24th, 26th or 27th were because taxi drivers chose not to work, to be with their families. We must recognise that many people have mortgaged their homes to buy a taxi plate and I would be unhappy to be associated with a Government that would callously throw them on the scrap-heap by wiping out their investment overnight."

Mr Ahern said he was speaking as a city council member and had not discussed his criticisms of Ms Harney with the Taoiseach who had been deeply involved in the taxi issue himself though the forum. It had brought about "an absolute sea-change" in the taxi-drivers' thinking.