Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The taxi industry is in a deep crisis. Yesterday's protest, which saw thousands upon thousands of taxi drivers participate, demonstrates the depth of the problem. The industry has been deeply affected by the closure of the entertainment, sport and tourism sectors - sectors that also need greater attention from this House and the Government.

From the outset, taxi drivers have been let down by this Government. It started with the taxi drivers over-66, many of whom were earning up to €500 per week, not receiving any pandemic unemployment payment despite the fact that they have mortgages or adult children in university. We saw the failure of the Government to properly regulate the insurance industry. Taxi drivers who availed themselves of the pandemic unemployment payment were trying to switch to personal policies but in some cases they were not getting the support they should have received. Then there was the reduction in the pandemic unemployment payment to €203 for taxi drivers based on their 2018 returns, even though they were earning significantly higher amounts in 2019 and 2020. There are upcoming suitability tests and vehicle tests, and the ten-year rule will require taxi drivers who are currently not in employment to replace their vehicles. They have no ability to meet the payments but could be penalised and lose their right to earn an income in the future unless some action is taken on these matters.

All the Government has offered taxi drivers is a grant of up to €1,000, which barely covers the cost of making a vehicle Covid-compliant. From my discussion with taxi drivers in my constituency - I am sure Government colleagues will have had the same experience – I have learned that many are actively considering leaving the industry because there is no prospect of a return to normal employment within the next year or so. As my colleague, Deputy O'Rourke, clearly outlined, these are not just problems associated with Covid put deeper problems owing to the failure of the Government to fairly regulate the industry. The industry needs proper regulation, which we would support. The lack of proper regulation is why the Taxi Advisory Committee has lost the confidence of drivers and why the Taxi Regulator is often criticised by many of us, from all sides, in this House for not being responsive to political engagement. That is why the entire system needs an overhaul. I urge Government Deputies not only to support this motion but also to work with us to try to ensure the taxi industry is fit for purpose, properly regulated and working in the interest of drivers and passengers.

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