Sir, - Women living in Dublin cannot go out at weekends because there are no taxis to take them home in the early morning. For that reason alone, it is essential that there is at least a doubling of the number of taxi plates, pending de-regulation.
I call on the Government to stand firm this time against the taxi-drivers. I recall that 18 months ago Dame Street and approaches to the Liffey bridges were blocked by taxis four abreast. No-one cleared the roads and the taxi men were able to get away with this banditry. As I tried to make my way through on my bicycle, there was a most threatening atmosphere around the leather-clad drivers standing in menacing groups.
They should have been taken on then, and must be taken on in the near future when they will try to hold us all to ransom again. - Yours, etc.,
Muredach Doherty, Lower Beechwood Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.