Unions representing taxi drivers have welcomed a fund proposed by Fine Gael to compensate drivers who saw the value of their licences fall as a result of deregulation.
Fine Gael is finalising plans to finance the scheme through a substantial increase in the cost of new licences and a levy on taxi journeys.
The proposals are being put together in consultation with the country’s driver representative organisations and the Fine Gael finance spokesman Mr Jim Mitchell. Talks are already at an advanced stage with further discussions scheduled.
The National Taxi Drivers Union (NTDU) and the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation (ITDF) together met with Mr Mitchell, while SIPTU who also represent a number of drivers have held separate discussions with the Dublin Central TD.
A compensation fund approaching &8364;400 million is being sought by the unions. Vice-president of the NTDU Mr Vinny Kearns said that a trebling of the current charge for a new taxi licence and an estimated &8364;50 million collected in fees for licences issued since deregulation would contribute towards the cost of the intended fund.
"Unlike the farmers in the land rezoning, foot-and-mouth and BSE this will not cost the taxpayer and will be self-financing to larger degree," Mr Kearns said.
SIPTU also welcomed the proposals saying the Fine Gael was showing recognition of the financial hardship driver suffered as a result of deregulation.
"It is our intention to pursue the matter with the Fine Gael party as well as drawing on our own expertise to further develop the proposals put forward by Mr Mitchell," Mr Jerry Brennan of SIPTU’s taxi branch.