Dublin taxi-drivers plan to withdraw their service for 24 hours from 4 a.m. tomorrow.
Those travelling to airports for early-morning flights and workers who start or finish work in the small hours will be worst affected by the industrial action.
Mid-afternoon Dublin traffic will also be disrupted by a protest drive, march and rally planned for the city centre tomorrow. The event will be similar to the final stage of the Irish Farmers' Association tractor rally in January.
The action is being organised by the three main taxi-drivers' unions - the National Taxi Drivers Union (NTDU), the Irish Taxi Drivers' Federation and SIPTU. The unions represent around 7,500 of the 9,800 licenced drivers nationwide.
The unions say drivers are unhappy with how the deregulation of the industry has progressed. They point to a rise in the number of assaults on passengers by new taxi-drivers, and an increase in the number of older cars being used as taxis as examples of how standards have been allowed to slip since deregulation in November 2000.
The drivers are also concerned about the number of taxi ranks in the city, given that the taxi fleet has grown from just under 3,000 to almost 10,000 since deregulation.
In Dublin city centre a number of key ranks have been lost, including those outside St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre, Wynne's Hotel, Abbey Street, Clery's department store, O'Connell Street, and at Busáras in Store Street.
The interim regulator appointed by the Government, Mr Jim Farrelly, is finalising a report on the status of the industry for the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan.
However, drivers have become frustrated that requests for fare reviews have not been acted upon. They have called for the disbandment of the committee, comprising members of the four Dublin local authorities, which approves fare increases.
"We are not trying to achieve major disruption with this but we just want to make it clear that what we are looking for are developments which will not only benefit drivers but will be good for the public too," said Mr Vincent Kearns, NTDU vice-president.
Since deregulation 2½ years ago, six new taxi-drivers have been implicated in major drugs deals, three have died in their cabs from drugs overdoses and there have been "eight to 10" allegations of rape made against drivers, Mr Kearns said.
Many of the new drivers have full-time jobs and drive taxis after finishing work or at weekends. Some are working so many hours that passenger safety is at risk.
Mr Kearns added the interim regulator had just one month left to run on his current contract but the Government had not advertised the position yet. A permanent regulator was needed with full statutory powers who would act to improve standards.
Tightening up entry into the market needed to become a priority and new drivers should be forced to undergo training and more rigorous screening.
Thousands of drivers are expected at a rally in the Phoenix Park tomorrow. Drivers will meet at the park and then travel in their cars under Garda escort just after 1.30 p.m. They will park at Merrion Square and then march through the city centre along Clare Street, Nassau Street, and Frederick Street before handing in a letter of protest to Mr Brennan at Molesworth Street. The drivers then return to Merrion Square where they will be addressed by union leaders. They will disperse before the rush hour starts. Pickets will also be placed in ranks during the 24-hour action. Drivers in rural areas have also been asked to withdraw their services.
