Union urges photo ID for taxi-drivers

The National Taxi Drivers' Union (NTDU) has called for photo or fingerprint identification to be introduced for all applicants and holders of public service vehicle (psv) licences, after two men were arrested in connection with allegations of impersonation in Carriage Office exams.

It is believed the Gardaí were acting in response to complaints that a foreign national, having successfully completed the exam, was repeatedly sitting the exams for a psv licence, in the names of other applicants.

Currently all taxi-drivers in Dublin are required to sit a written examination for psv licences, in addition to buying a taxi licence from the Carriage Office.

The Garda has confirmed that it arrested two non-nationals last weekend in connection with the investigation. Both men were later released without charge. Gardaí said further investigations were on-going and a decision on whether to charge the individuals concerned or to send a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions would be made later. Sources indicated the gardaí were determining the number of cases allegedly involved.

According to Mr Vincent Kearns, of the NTDU, taxi-drivers have known for some time that a number of unsuitable drivers were entering the business illegally. He suggested the problems of impersonation could extend to vetting procedures, vehicles, and insurance as well as psv licences.

Mr Kearns told The Irish Times that "the public must be assured that drivers have passed rigorous tests as to their suitability".

But he said impersonation had the potential to by-pass all standards.

"In other countries, candidates must undergo several meetings with the regulatory authority and frequently be intensively examined on the geography of the area in which they intend to work, before being granted a psv licence. Outside Dublin there is not always even the requirement for a psv exam before someone gets a taxi licence".

Mr Kearns said "with deregulation in Dublin the rules are much easier and a person doesn't have to meet Carriage Office staff more than once when the test is being sat, so impersonation is possible."

Mr Kearns insisted the taxi-drivers were "not blaming the Carriage Office staff" who he said were operating in a deregulated environment.

But he said following deregulation, many drivers had concerns about individuals and groups entering the industry and all applicants for licences as well as psv holders should be obliged to carry photo-identification or finger print identification if it was found to be suitable.

Mr Kearns said the problem was part of a general decline in the suitability of holders of taxi licences post deregulation. "We must have the strictest of standards - whatever it takes - to ensure the public has confidence that their driver has been properly vetted and approved," he added.