DUBLIN taxi drivers took to the streets of the capital yesterday to protest at Dublin Corporation's decision to issue 200 new taxi plates. They were also objecting to the increase in the cost of their licence fee from £100 to £750.
The protest procession was bled by a horse drawn hearse which carried the signs: "Fined Gael/Labour, Executioners of the Taxi Trade" and "RIP: Taxi".
A letter of protest was handed into Government Buildings. Mr John Usher, president of the Irish Taxi Federation, said they had decided to hand in a letter because the Taoiseach said self employed people should be helped in every way possible.
"However we have received no encouragement and certainly no help from Fine Gael. Fine Gael councillors in Dublin Corporation have increased our licence fee by £650, which is a massive increase. The drivers are determined not to let this go unchallenged."
Mr Usher said the issue had not been discussed properly at the meeting of Dublin Corporation at which it was decided.
He said some councillors have indicated to him that they did not have sufficient knowledge before voting. The mood of the taxi drivers, he said, was getting more militant. "If we keep knocking on doors that do not open we are going to have to review what we have been doing to date and see if we area going down the right road," he said.