Minister-----

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Minister-----

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I am glad the Minister for Transport is here. He was not here when I raised, on behalf of the taxi drivers of this country, the issue of Uber and its attempt to undermine the regulated taxi industry and the livelihoods of nearly 20,000 taxi drivers. On Saturday, along with thousands of taxi drivers, I participated in a protest at Merrion Square. They are asking that the Government enforce its own regulations or, if necessary, amend the legislation to protect their livelihoods given the efforts of Uber to undermine the regulated fare structure. What they are asking for, which is a win-win for everybody, is that there would be a not-for-profit, publicly-run, National Transport Authority-run app, which all of them would sign up for. This would mean money for Revenue and money for the Exchequer. It would mean the protection of the regulated taxi industry and the protection of the livelihoods of taxi drivers-----

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-----and it would prevent surge pricing, which is what Uber-----

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-----and companies will bring in if they get the chance.

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They will be protesting on Thursday as well.

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Did you tell them you will meet the NTA on Thursday?

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