Severe traffic disruption is expected in Dublin this afternoon, as hundreds of taxi drivers converge on the city centre to protest about deregulation and other issues.
The protest is likely to cause major traffic disruption between 1 and 4 p.m. But there will also be fewer taxis on the roads elsewhere. Taxi unions are calling on members not taking part in the convoy to stop work for the three hours.
On the second anniversary of deregulation, the protest is being staged by members of the National Taxi Drivers' Union of Ireland, the Irish Taxi Drivers' Federation and SIPTU.
The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, indicated yesterday he would be willing to meet a representative group of six or eight taxi drivers at the Dáil after the demonstration.
The taxi drivers will assemble at the Papal Cross in the Phoenix Park at 1 p.m. After speeches, the convoy will leave the park at 2 p.m.
At O'Connell Bridge 40 to 50 taxis will go to the Dáil, where letters will be handed in. The taxis will disperse at St Stephen's Green.Taxi union representatives finalised arrangements yesterday with the Garda Traffic Division and Carriage Office to try to minimise disruption.
Gardaí put the number of taxis expected to take part at more than 1,000 but have asked the unions to keep the numbers down. Mr Jerry Brennan, SIPTU, said they were trying to avoid as much inconvenience to the public as possible.
Mr Tommy Gorman of the National Taxi Drivers' Union said they were protesting about a number of issues, including deregulation, "double jobbers", erosion of income and rising insurance costs.
The Minister announced yesterday the setting up of the Office of National Taxi Regulator which is one of the unions' demands. He said legislative proposals would be brought to Government in the New Year.
The role of the regulator would be to provide for effective control over the promotion of a professional, efficient and customer-friendly service by taxis, hackneys and limousines.
Mr Brennan of SIPTU said it could take a while before the office was established.
"I would prefer to work on the issues immediately, perhaps by the establishment of a commission."
Dublin Chamber of Commerce called for the new authority to establish a passengers' charter. Its director of policy, Mr Declan Martin, said passengers had benefited from deregulation.
Taxi drivers in Waterford are to stage a "slow-drive" protest at lunchtime today about what they see as the decimation of their livelihoods.