Dublin Corporation has received applications for nearly all of the 2,600 new taxi plates planned for the capital. The application process, which is restricted to existing licence holders, closed at five o'clock. However, the new plates cannot be issued yet because of a High Court injunction.
The Friday evening trade was brisk in Central Dublin as the deadline for applications for the proposed new taxi plates approached. Existing taxi plate holders were applying for extra licences. However they were also clearly uncomfortable that their desire for a phased introduction of new plates was rejected by Minister of State Bobby Molloy. One of the taxi-drivers' Unions provided its members with letters stating that they were applying for the plates under protest.
A month ago, the Taxi Federation said that its members would refuse to apply for the 2,600 new plates. However, by this evening it was clear that an overwhelming number applied felt that they had to. The resolute stance taken by the Minister clearly left the taxi drivers with no option. They remain opposed to the scheme, but are taking-up the offer out of fear of being left out in the cold.
None of the new licences can be issued as hackney drivers have gone to the High Court on the basis that they were prevented from being involved. They were, however, cynical about the fact that the existing taxi drivers had refused to apply and then changed their minds. It seems unlikely new taxis will be coming on stream in the near future as any High Court decision is likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court.
