The Government stood firm on taxi deregulation during a five-hour meeting with taxi industry representatives yesterday. However agreement was reached that a joint committee to discuss the consequences of the new regulations is to be established.
The development of "further quality requirements" for taxi services is also to be examined. The announcement was made last night following the meeting between Minister of State Mr Bobby Molloy and representatives of the taxi industry in Leinster House.
The meeting was preceded by ugly scenes in Dublin city centre as up to 3,000 taxi drivers and their families made their way to the Dail. The scenes were described as a "disgrace" by a Government spokesman.
Following the meeting, Mr Gerry Brennan, of SIPTU, said the discussions had centred on the "entire situation" and the issues would be returned to on Tuesday next when the committee, made up of Government and taxi representatives, would meet. "We haven't secured anything as such."
Mr Tommy Gorman, general secretary of the National Taxi Drivers Union, agreed good progress had been made. "We're reasonably happy; it could have been better."
The president of the Irish Taxi Drivers' Federation, Mr John Ussher, said he would not comment until he had briefed his members.
Taxi drivers will hear a report of what went on in a meeting in the National Stadium, Dublin, this evening.
According to the joint statement after the meeting, both sides accepted the importance of "the process of dialogue" around a number of issues. These included "particular difficulties which would arise from unlimited numbers throughout the country and the need for more taxi ranks and better infrastructure".
However, a Government source stressed it was not conceding on limiting taxi numbers.
The other issues raised were the possible award of taxi licences to people who had previously sold a licence and the need for cosies to be facilitated in obtaining new licences.
"The Minister noted these and other concerns but stated that cognisance would also have to be taken of legal constraints," said the statement.
Meanwhile, the National Taxi Drivers' Federation went to the High Court yesterday to have the new regulations quashed. It is also seeking an injunction to prevent the decision coming into effect. Mr Justice Peter Kelly said he wanted to hear Mr Molloy's views and would hear submissions on Friday.
The Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, yesterday defended the force's handling of taxi protests. He said he believed most people had understood what had to be done by the Garda in relation to the taxi drivers' protests and there were very few criticisms.
"We were dealing with several hundred people in relation to the taxi dispute . . . I don't think anybody would thank me for inflaming the situation and exacerbating the situation," he said on RTE radio.
Meanwhile, pressure is growing on the Government over the difference between taxi shortages in Dublin compared to the rest of the country. Around 20 TDs, including a number of Fianna Fail backbenchers and the Fine Gael finance spokesman, Mr Michael Noonan, attended a meeting with rural taxi drivers in Dublin yesterday. Some addressed the meeting and there was agreement that a separate case should be put to the Government to deal with their situation.