I do not doubt that the deregulation of the taxi industry caused huge difficulties for some taxi drivers and their families. It must be accepted, however, that the inflated prices being paid for plates before deregulation represented a false economy. Those in the industry must admit that it was inevitable that people would be hurt financially when changes took place because of the restricted access to the business and the way in which plates were changing hands. The Minister has recognised that the State has a responsibility to try to relieve the hardship in the genuine cases of those who have a special status as licence holders. We await the outcome of the hardship panel's deliberations, which, as the Minister said, will conclude shortly. The Families Advocate Immediate Redress group brought its case to the European Parliament committee on petitions, which pointed out a number of the problems and consequences of deregulation.