DUBLIN TAXI drivers have pledged to continue protesting until the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey establishes a process allowing them to appeal the decisions of the taxi regulator.
Dozens of drivers congregated at the main roundabout near Dublin airport yesterday morning to call on Mr Dempsey to respect their working rights and also to introduce a moratorium on the number of new licences issued.
Taxi services continued as normal at the airport during the protest, at which drivers carried placards saying “no rights, no negotiations, no say in working conditions” and “currently 26,843 licences, enough is enough”.
Siptu, the union representing the drivers, says it has been calling for the introduction of an appeals process since September 2006 and that the drivers will continue to protest until Mr Dempsey legislates on the matter.
Siptu taxi branch organiser Jerry Brennan said they are not seeking to cause disruption to the public or other businesses. He said all the drivers want is “fair play”.
Another taxi group, Taxi Drivers for Change, also staged a protest outside the Department of Transport yesterday afternoon.
A spokesman said the department is awaiting an economic review of the industry from the taxi regulator and a report on the industry from the Oireachtas Transport Committee.
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