A number of organisations in the tourism, hospitality and enterprise sectors have formed a coalition to seek action to address what they claim is the ongoing impact of a shortage of taxis around the country.
The groups claim the problem is affecting Irish firms, the economy in local areas and members of the public.
The coalition includes the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI), Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI), Licensed Vintners’ Association (LVA), Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), Bolt and Uber.
"Across the entire country the lack of taxis is impacting publicans who find it almost impossible to get customers home," said Pat Crotty, CEO of VFI.
"Many of our members are forced to operate an informal taxi service, particularly in rural areas, but this is not a sustainable position. Compounding the issue is our consumer research which reveals people are avoiding nights out because of the hassle with taxis late at night."
The group claims a range of surveys carried out by its members and others this year have consistently found that the availability of taxis in cities, towns and rural areas is a problem.
It has written to the Taoiseach and Minister for Transport, seeking an acknowledgement of the problems the issue is causing and calling for action to increase taxi supply.
"All transport, including taxis, are important to international tourists to the country for both city visits and the regions. Increasing the taxi supply so that vehicles are readily available is important," said Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, chair of ITIC.
The coalition says some action has been taken by the National Transport Authority, including the extension of the maximum taxi age and the rise in fares.
But it also says this has not resulted in an increase in availability of taxis, especially at peak times or in rural areas.
"The shortage of taxis for the late-night economy, particularly at weekends, is damaging for the Dublin pub trade generally and is particularly serious for late bars/nightclubs," said Donall O’Keeffe, CEO of the LVA.
"It impacts business as customers are worried about the difficulty in getting a taxi, customers are leaving pubs and late bars earlier than they would like to be sure of getting a taxi, and it ruins customers’ nights out if there are huge delays in getting a taxi home."
According to Uber, the number of taxis and hackneys has decreased by 15% in Ireland, when in other countries it operates in it has increased.
The coalition has called for a whole of Government approach to address the issue.
