Second Taxi Strike Causes More Disruption

Drivers Threaten More Action Timed For The Ryder Cup

Taxi drivers staged a second 24-hour strike last Tuesday, causing much more disruption than their first strike a fortnight ago.

An estimated 10,000 drivers stayed of the road in protest at new national taxi regulations which they claim will cost them thousands of Euro a year.

An increase in tourist arrivals in Ireland, combined with the biggest holiday week of the year for Irish people, combined to cause huge disruption at Dublin airport and Dublin city centre.

National Taxi Drivers Union secretary, Tommy Gorman, said a strike was likely to be called to coincide with Ryder Cup week in late September.

Mr Gorman said that unless the government appointed taxi regulator, Ger Deering, agreed a compromise with drivers further action was 'inevitable'.

"We have tried to compromise with Ger Deering but he doesn't want to, so we will continue this action until we are listened to," he said.

"The government can't expect taxi drivers to take a pay cut at a time of rising oil prices and insurance costs.

"Why should we be singled out for this attention.

"If Ger Deering continues with his approach I could certainly see this strike affecting the Ryder Cup".

Amongst the proposals is a ban on taxi men taking a 50cent charge for each bag a passenger is carrying at Dublin airport.

An extra 1.50 charge for collecting passengers at the airport will also be ended under the legislation, which is due to come into effect on the same day the Ryder Cup begins.

Mr Deering said that the taxi strike was only hurting passengers and taxi drivers, who were loosing hundreds of euro every time the strike was called.

"The strike will achieve nothing," he said.

"It is a case of taking out grievances on passengers, and that is certainly not good for the taxi business".

He said the plans would not be affected by the strike.

Despite the strike most members of the public were unaware of why it was taking place, and many passengers arrived at Dublin airport expecting to catch a taxi to the city centre.

"I'm pretty tired at this stage and I don't understand why they are striking or how it is going to help them," said Tommy Garmett, who had flown from his home in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

It was a sentiment echoed by thousands of other weary travellers.

A taxi strike during the Ryder Cup could have serious consequences for spectators arriving for the event.

Tourist chiefs are anxious that the event should not be affected by the protests.

Bus companies say they are confident they will be able to handle the overspill from the Ryder Cup if the taxi strike does coincide with it.