06/05/2009

Call For CCTV In Taxis

Irish taxis should soon be fitted with CCTV, a Labour Party spokesman has said.

Transport spokesman Tommy Broughan said on Wednesday that the CCTV cameras should be installed in taxis to protect drivers.

The proposals will undergo a full consultation process being carried out by the Taxi Regulator on the future of the industry.

Mr Broughan said CCTV systems and security shields must be piloted in vehicles to protect drivers from attacks and a passengers' representative must be recruited to the Regulator's office.

In related news, the Taxi Regulator has completed the first phase of itss current public consultation on the controversial Goodbody Economic Review.

A spokesman said: "The Commission will now be embarking on a number of meetings nationwide with key stakeholders including industry representatives. Following the completion of these meetings, the Commission will analyse the feedback from the entire process and will make public its conclusions in due course."

However, the pressure group Taxi Drivers for Change are continuing in their protests against the review, which they say is putting too many taxi drivers in the capital.

Protesters arrived at the department of Transport at 15.30 on Tuesday 5th of May to deliver their submission document "change for the better" to Minister Noel Dempsey.

A spokesman for the group said: "It can be taken as a 'safe bet' that this document address' [sic] the problems that taxi drivers are experiencing nationally."

The groups website claimed Change for the Better has been widely consulted throughout the taxi driving community of Ireland from Cork to Donegal and Galway to Dublin.

Taxi Drivers For Change will be holding a demonstration to emphasise the fact the Transport Minister has not yet agreed to meet with the group.

Spokesman for Taxi Drivers For Change Frank Byrne said: "These are well thought out and positive ideas put forward by the taxi drivers of Ireland and deserve to be considered seriously, we hope Mr Dempsey understands this and gives change for the better due consideration."

(DW/JM)

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