Taxi Review means nothing without ordinary drivers being represented – Ellis
6 July, 2011 - by Dessie Ellis TD
Sinn Féin's Dublin North West TD and Transport spokesperson Dessie Ellis has described his disappointment at the refusal of the Minister of State Alan Kelly to review his decision not to include a representative of single licence holders on the Steering Group of the Taxi Industry Review.
Deputy Ellis said;
"The Minister claims that they are represented but this is untrue. All of the taxi drivers on the group either hold multiple licences, are dispatch operators or have other jobs as well as driving a taxi.
"This does not represent the majority of taxi drivers. The ordinary full time single licence holder are the people suffering, struggling to make ends meet because of poor regulation, over supply and people driving taxi's part time to supplement wages from other employment. Those chosen to represent taxi drivers on this group have no real interest in changing these situations and that is why the drivers have no faith in this review now.
"Alan Kelly says that he is genuine about bringing change to the industry and helping drivers who are struggling but he needs to back up his words with action. If he does not have representation for taxi drivers on this group then it has already lost all credibility. I have met with many drivers over the past two weeks since the announcement and the sense of disappointment and hopelessness at this move is palpable."