Further protests by taxi drivers against a new fares regime are expected in spite of progress at a meeting yesterday between their union representatives and the Department of Transport.
People who plan to use Dublin airport on Monday, September 25th, are likely to be the next affected by the ongoing row between drivers and taxi regulator Ger Deering.
A new regulatory and fares system drawn up by Mr Deering comes into effect on that date, and includes the abolition of a €1.50 additional charge for passengers collected at the airport.
Irish Taxi Drivers' Federation president John Ussher said last night that drivers would have no option but to withhold a 70 cent charge they currently pay each time they use the airport.
He anticipated that Dublin Airport Authority would, in turn, prevent taxis from entering the airport rank.
"We have no dispute with Dublin Airport Authority but we are being prevented by the regulator from passing on a business charge to the customer.
"So there are going to be major problems on the 25th," he said.
Mr Ussher said the three taxi unions would consult their executives before deciding on whether to continue other protest actions, following yesterday's meeting with department officials.
The department urged union leaders at the meeting to take part in a consultation process already in place to find suitable appeals mechanisms concerning decisions taken by regulators.
A consultation paper on the issue was published by the Department of the Taoiseach in July.
Mr Ussher said the unions had agreed to pursue this course of action and make a submission on how appeals should operate in the case of the taxi regulator.
He said the lack of an existing appeals mechanism was one of the reasons taxis had had to take their protests to the streets in recent weeks.
Traffic in Dublin city centre was severely disrupted on Monday by the fourth taxi drivers' protest since July.
