Trippling taxi fares over the millennium celebrations will be the only way to ensure there will be taxis available in Dublin on December 31st, according to taxi firms.
Dublin taxi firms have applied to Dublin Corporation to triple fares for New Year's Eve night, and have also applied to double the daytime fares through the holiday period.
Mr John Ussher, president of the Irish Taxi Drivers' Federation, which has 1,800 Dublin members, said: "It's only once in a lifetime that you have a millennium. Taxi drivers take home a lot less money than other people. I want the drivers to work, and I want them to be compensated for working."
Mr Ussher said the rise being sought from Dublin Corporation was "in line, or even lower" than some other planned millennium price rises currently being sought.
Mr Seamus Brennan, of the Government-appointed Millennium Committee said he would meet the taxi drivers to discuss their application for higher holiday fares.
"I hope that common sense will prevail. It is reasonable that some increases should apply for the occasion," he said.
