A move by Fianna Fail backbenchers to have an "implementation" body established for the issue of the proposed new 3,000 taxi licences for Dublin has been rejected by the Government.

The Minister of State for the Environment, Mr Robert Molloy, who is overseeing the taxi initiative, said last night there would be no "implementation role" for any authority.

However, he said his Department was considering a proposal from taxi interests for inclusion in a body which would look at how the taxi service in Dublin could be developed.

It is understood the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, told a Fianna Fail parliamentary party meeting yesterday that taxi policy was a matter for his Department.

The parliamentary party yesterday agreed a motion that a special authority, to include representation from the taxi industry, be established to look at the problems which would arise with 3,000 extra taxis.

The motion from Dublin North Central TD, Mr Ivor Callely, proposed that "an implementation body be put in place for the issue of the Government's proposed additional taxi licences for Dublin, and that such a body should consist of a membership similar to the Taxi Forum".

Mr Callely told The Irish Times that with 3,000 new licences pending there were "practical issues" which would have to be addressed.

For example, he said the question of the number of Dublin taxi ranks to cope with the extra licences would have to be looked at.

Any proposed body should consist of representatives of the Garda, the taxi industry, Dublin Corporation, the Department of the Environment and the Department of Public Enterprise.

The plan for new taxis was announced by Mr Molloy in December, and has been opposed by taxi-drivers. Under regulations, which came into forced on January 14th, any existing taxi licence holder can apply for an additional licence before tomorrow.