More than 600 taxi drivers have marched through Dublin city centre to the Dáil in protest at the failure of the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey to restrict numbers entering the taxi industry.
The march, which began at Parnell Square at 11.30am, is the third protest organised by the recently formed Taxi Drivers for Change, a non-union affiliated campaign group.
The group, which involves members from all taxi unions and none, said it has formed to present a united front from all parts of the country in response to the current difficulties in the industry, and to highlight their dissatisfaction with the lack of response to the concerns of drivers from the taxi regulator or the Minister for Transport.
Group organiser Frank Byrne said drivers are working intolerable hours, regularly driving for up to 80 hours a week, in an attempt to earn a living.
"The Minister for Transport needs to realise and accept that the taxi industry is in turmoil. He needs to stop the issuing of any new licences by any means possible by either suspending the issuing of new plates or new SPSV [small public service vehicle] licences."
Not only were there too many taxis in the country, there were large numbers of illegal drivers, Mr Byrne said.
"There are so many taxis now that the problem of unlicensed drivers has become unpolicable. We've tried to get this very serious point across, but the Minister for Transport is not listening."
The group will continue to hold weekly protests around the country until Mr Dempsey responds to their concerns, Mr Byrne said.
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