SIPTU taxi-drivers withdraw service for three hours

Taxi-drivers who are members of SIPTU staged a three-hour withdrawal of services from a number of ranks in Dublin city today in a protest over licences.

The drivers are demanding the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, suspend issuing of new taxi licences until a regulator, or regulations, to monitor the industry are introduced and assurances can be given to drivers that they can make a viable living from the sector.

All you have to do is look at the media reports, we said these things would happen and we've been proved right . Mr Jerry Brennan, of the SIPTU branch representing some taxi-drivers

The protest today took place at Dublin Airport, Heuston Station, Connolly Station and Busaras at 9 a.m. and was due to end at 12 midday.

Mr Jerry Brennan, of the SIPTU branch which represents the drivers, said a moratorium on the issuing of licences was being sought until a regulator was appointed.

The appointment of a non-statutory interim regulator as promised by the minister was not sufficient, said Mr Brennan, because that office had no statutory power.

He said drivers are concerned about recent incidents of new taxi drivers engaging in alleged criminal activity.

"All you have to do is look at the media reports, we said these things would happen and we've been proved right."

A Garda spokesman said there had been no reports of traffic disruption due to the protest.

Four more days of limited protest are planned by the drivers, on the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th of this month.

SIPTU taxi-drivers will meet on February 25th to evaluate the protests and decide whether or not to escalate.