Protesting taxi drivers are likely to escalate their action in the coming weeks despite the emergence today of a time-frame for the setting up of a new taxi regulator.
Following a meeting between Minister of Transport, Mr Seamus Brennan, and the National Taxi Drivers' Union (NTDU) it was agreed that an interim regulator would be put in place within the next two weeks.
Mr Brennan also re-iterated a commitment to create the position on a statutory basis. A Department of Transport spokesman said it was hoped the necessary legislation would pass through the Dáil before the summer recess but that more time may be needed.
Mr Jerry Brennan of SIPTU reacted sceptically to the news, saying it was "another non-fulfillment of promise" and expressed doubts over whether the regulator would be set up on a statutory basis before the end of the year.
"I would love to think that it's true but having been involved in this industry for quite some time, I can't help viewing it with some cynicism," the SIPTU official told ireland.com.
He said the campaign of stoppages at Dublin Airport would continue - next Monday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and Tuesday evening 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. He also warned that a proposal to escalate their action could be agreed at a meeting of SIPTU drivers next week.
The campaign, he said, had been 99.9 per cent effective, contrary to media reports, which "were not trying to be controversial but effective".
Mr Vinny Kearns, vice-president of the NTDU, however, welcomed the news. He said the concerns of drivers and the public since the advent of deregulation in 2000 would now be addressed.
An Advisory Council will also be created in the coming weeks consisting of drivers' representatives, gardaí, the Department and consumers.Mr Kearns said subsidies and requirements for entry to the industry, the issuing of licences and a financial hardship fund would be addressed at the forum."The regulator has a difficult task ahead of him, there's a lot of work to be done but we'll give him every assistance possible," the NTDU official said.
SIPTU's Mr Brennan said, despite his concerns, he would accept an invitation to sit on the council.