HUNDREDS OF taxi drivers yesterday staged a protest through the streets of Dublin and outside the offices of the Commission for Taxi Regulation over the deregulation of the industry.
At one stage up to 25 drivers forced their way into the regulator’s offices on Fitzwilliam Square, and occupied a meeting room for two hours.
The drivers said deregulation had resulted in an oversupply of taxis that had squeezed earnings to such an extent that many drivers could no longer make a living.
Grassroots organisation Taxi Drivers for Change, which organised the protest, said drivers had no faith in the commission or the regulator Kathleen Doyle.
Spokesman Frank Byrne said: “We don’t recognise the commission and we don’t believe that the salvation of the industry lies with the regulator.
“Since the inception of the office, the regulator and her predecessor have done nothing in the interests of the Irish taxi driver. As a consequence we can’t make a living, we can’t pay our bills, people’s marriages are breaking up and their health is suffering.”
Mr Byrne called on Ms Doyle to resign and the commission to be abolished.
He said the group would be making a submission to the Minister for Transport calling for a halt to the issuing of licences.
A spokeswoman for the regulator confirmed a group of drivers had occupied the offices for a time, but said the atmosphere remained cordial and ended without incident.
She said Ms Doyle would not be commenting on the protest.
Protesting drivers had earlier conducted a “drive-slow” protest from O’Connell Street to Kildare Street .
They stopped for 10 minutes outside the Dáil before proceeding to the regulator’s offices on Fitzwilliam Square.
