Taxi driverssay row with regulator may be resolved

Taxi drivers have signalled the possibility of a breakthrough in their long-running dispute with the industry's regulator Ger Deering, which has led to a threatened boycott of the Ryder Cup next month.

The leaders of the National Taxi Drivers' Union (NTDU), Siptu and the Taxi Drivers' Federation, which between them represent 14,000 of the State's 17,000 taxi drivers, are to meet this afternoon to discuss the planned boycott.

However, they will also discuss the possibility of ending their protests through the negotiation of a new fare increase with Mr Deering.

Mr Deering last week said he would be open to discussing the possibility of a fare increase after a new fare structure comes into force on September 25th. However he said it would not be feasible to introduce another new fares schedule this year.

Members of the three unions voted last week to target the Ryder Cup. Union leaders were due to meet at the weekend to discuss how they would operate any boycott of the golf tournament. However, decisions have been delayed until today to allow the union leaders to discuss the possibility of re-entering talks with Mr Deering.

"The issue of a fare increase may be an avenue where we can go back to talk to Mr Deering. If he is willing, it's a door that could be pushed open," NTDU president Tommy Gorman said.

Plans for disruption during the Ryder Cup will be drawn up, but any action could be suspended pending talks with Mr Deering, according to Mr Gorman.

"I think he has had enough of this dispute, but obviously he doesn't want to lose face, neither do we, and there is the possibility to resolve this."

The drivers' protest, which resulted in one-day stoppages in July and August, follows the refusal of Mr Deering to reconsider the changes to the industry which have already been signed into law and come into force next month. The changes include a new national fare structure, with minimum charges set at €3.80, or €4.10 at premium times, replacing the system where fares were set by individual local authorities.

The new structure also sees the abolition of luggage charges and a €1.50 hiring charge for pick-ups from Dublin airport.

Unions claim the changes will reduce drivers' incomes.