On a day when the taxi industry is organising a major protest, it is worth noting that the State's record in moving from quantitative to qualitative controls in the transport sector has been abysmal. It is unacceptable that a criminal element has been allowed to infiltrate the taxi industry to such an extent. There is a need for the regulatory authorities to take appropriate action to ensure this does not happen. The taxi industry is very important to the economic life of this city and country. We should say what is happening in the industry is unacceptable and that strong action should be taken to eradicate the problem.