05/03/2009

Taxi Drivers In Dublin City Protest

Taxi drivers will be taking to the streets again in another high profile protest in Dublin city centre this afternoon.

It is the fifth protest by taxi drivers this year alone, and the protest has been scheduled for today at noon, with drivers meeting at various assembly points before a rally outside Government buildings.

Cabbies claim that since the deregulation of licensing in 2000 the number of taxis in Dublin has risen from 2,000 to 25,000, making it difficult for some drivers to make a living.

The protests are being organised by a representative group calling themselves Taxi Drivers for Change who are calling for the industry to be restructured and the issuing of new licences to be suspended.

A spokesman for Taxi Drivers For Change said: "We are greatly encouraged by the increased support we are getting from taxi drivers both here in Dublin and across Ireland.

"It is through the commitment of these drivers we will escalate our protests and continue to seek the suspension of new taxi licences and we hope that in the near future we can sit down with the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and discuss constructively the future of the taxi industr".

This will be the fifth protest by the group calling itself Taxi Drivers for Change.

Gardai say they'll be monitoring the protest and are warning motorists to expect traffic congestion as a result.

The taxi drivers plan to congregate at a number of locations in the suburbs and simultaneously continue on to Merrion Square at around 12.30pm to protest at Government Buildings.

Parking restrictions will be in place in Merrion Square, Fitzwilliam Street this morning until after this protest.

(DW/BMcC)

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