Taxi Drivers For Change… Still working hard
Roy May 20th, 2009
I’ve recently received details of the recent actions and just some of the future plans and ambitions the TDFC committee have and I am happy to highlight them for you here:
Protesting Kathleens “Workshop Roadshow”
It is TDFC’s belief that these roadshows, which are taking place weekly over the coming weeks, are simply a propaganda machine, with the sole agenda of pushing the discredited Goodbody report down our throats.
TDFC are determined to protest all of these roadshows and to instead voice the truth about what is happening to our industry.
To this end a very successful protest was held at the first of these roadshows in Killarney, where there were no attendees at the “workshop”.
The chairmen of the associations present at the protest and members of the TDFC committee later met with Kathleen, TDFC told her they and the associations they represent were not willing to talk with her until they first had a meeting with Minister Noel Dempsey (Kathleen cut in saying they don’t represent the associations present, whereby she was interrupted and told that indeed they do represent them and 19 other associations which were not present)
Upcoming meeting with the RSA
They are meeting with the road safety authority next week to determine how they can be quoted in the Goodbody report as a contributor, while it recommends that it is safe to be in charge of public safety having worked for 65/70 hrs plus.
I look forward to hearing their answers to that one!
Meeting with the Gardai in Pearse Street:
They have met with Pearse st Gardai to address with them in a positive and co operative manner the problems both taxi drivers and Gardai face..
The Gardai were extremely positive and sympathetic to our problems.
The following issues were discussed:
- Foster rank, Removal of public parking spaces freeing up 9 extra parking zones for Taxi’s
- Removal of loading zones at bottom of Grafton st rank after 20.00.
- Allowing Taxi’s to turn left onto Parliament st or removing the no left turn after 20.00.
- Conversion of Harcourt st to a rank from 20.00 from krystle to harcourt terrace thus removing the traffic flow problem.
- Conversion of Stephens green to solve the problem of crossing a continuous white line, the first car starts at the Londis store beside Dawson st, any passenger going southside or west will have to go via molesworth or suffolk st.
- Double yellow lines outside Flannery’s to allow pick up or drop off.
- Extension of no parking zone up Aungier st thru to Wexford st to allow smooth flow of traffic.
- Transfer of loading zones in Dawson st to the right side of street and leave spaces for rank on Cafe En Seine side
- There’s a problem with enforcement of illegal ranks at night, ie Baggot st etc, the Gardai or more specifically the traffic corps do not have the manpower to police this at night because their manpower is concentrated on more serious daytime problems, however, the Garda Siochanna will inform its members to a degree that they will be aware of the difficulties caused by this practice and will make an effort to address it.
They will still have to fight this cause with Dublin City council but with an ally in An Garda siochanna.
The Gardai have arranged a meeting in two weeks to further progress this initial meeting and this will include Officers from the north side city division addressing Connolly, busaras, sackville, gresham and Parnell.
You may download the TDFC Submission Document sent to Minister Noel Dempsey here (Microsoft word document)
- Taxi News
- Comments(41)
Well done TDFC,
Your group is doing what other long-established so-called “national representative organisations” claimed could only be done through (their interperetation of) dialogue, with Kathleen Doyle and/or Noel Dempsey.
I am no longer driving a taxi, but I will continue to support TDFC until they achieve the goal that they set for full-time taxi drivers earlier on this year. I firmly promise, taxi or no taxi with me that if I can I will attend these sham “roadshows” as they move around the country…
I also think, that considering what you guys have obtained through your DIALOGUE with the Labour Party that they are worth considering for a vote this time around. None of the other political parties have promised as much. Thus far.
Again, well done. Beirigi Bua.
Hi Roy,
Thanks a mill for the positive news.
Just the boost that I needed.
Where do we get info on where the PR Days sorry “Workshop Road shows” are taking place so that we can turn out in numbers to show Kathleen our appreciation for what she has done for the industry?
Lisa
well done lads great news give us the dates of these road shows and we,ll all turn up in force.
well done tdfc didnt realise the committee where doing so much work on our behalf opening the can of worms something the unions never did u have given us so much hope thanks i really appreciate it please let us know when kathleen is on tour again would love to go thanks again
What is the reason behind these “roadshows” what are they about ,,,whos invited ect ect
‘Pigment of the imagination’
Sure its a touchy subject and yes we’ve all heard the stories of certain non-national taxi drivers unable to speak English, not knowing where they’re going, overcharging, using duplicate or false license plates, hitting on female passengers traveling alone, etc, etc. And no doubt there is an element of truth to at least some of the stories doing the rounds. And sure couldn’t much the same be said of some Irish drivers as well if we’re honest. The difference is that its way too easy (in the current dire economic climate) to tar all non-nationals (particularly those with obviously different skin tones) with the same brush when it suits our collective or individual prejudices.
It is however, definitely becoming more prevalent. Before tonight, I’ve had it said to me on more than a few occasions and usually with the passenger door ajar but before the passenger gets into the car.
‘Are you Irish?’ he shouted so that others not so near could clearly discern. ‘Does he look like he’s Irish?’ he asked of some of his now smiling colleagues, pointing in my direction.
That got me thinking about what might define the Irish ‘look’. I’ve always assumed that I look Irish whatever that means, well as Irish as you can look without wearing a long ginger beard & wig and sporting a bright green jersey and top-hat with ‘Guinness’ written all over it. I certainly speak like I’m from these shores having lived here all my natural.
Maybe I’ve humored some of these people in the past thinking who can blame them, maybe they’ve had a bad experience with a non-national driver or maybe they’ve heard the ‘stories’. But something in the way it happened tonight (or rather the brash and vocal nature of this chap, in the company of his middle aged friends or family) suggested to me that it is now ‘OK’ to be openly racist.
“What does it matter what nationality I am?’ I asked in my unmistakably Irish accent, ‘Are you looking for a taxi or not?’ I decided, given the opportunity, I was prepared to debate the matter further this time.
Perhaps I was expected to provide documentary or other evidence of my Irishness or that of my parents/grandparents (as per International soccer rules). Perhaps I should have humored the guy for the fare (well it was quiet tonight after all). Perhaps he had never been challenged before when he asked if a driver was Irish. Perhaps, maybe he realised that he was speaking with a fellow Irishman who was not prepared to share unquestionably his racist views. Perhaps he disliked the prospect of further debate of the subject in front of his friends. Either way he quickly closed the door and walked away from the car and back to the the acceptability of his group. I in-turn drove off, happy enough to be looking for another illusive fare on a chilly Thursday am.
have you ever considered the possibility that the paying customer was simply checking as he was concerned about his safety and the validity of the insurance on the vehicle.As under both irish and european law non european citizens are excluded from employment in the transport industry with the exception of HGV driving.The pigmentation of ones skin and the language spoken may be factors used in assessing the legality of the operator and therefor the validity of his insurance.The department of trade seem to overlook this little matter when allowing non qualified persons take up work.So the responsibility for your safety lies with you the customer.Am I a racist for highliting this issue or just a concerned taxi driver
Back to my question ,,,,,,,,what was the TRs “roadshow “for and for whom ?
@ john m
Is that right?? And if so how are so many africans driving buses, taxi’s, luas’s etc??? There not europeans are they??
I’m with Amadan9999
Whats the story with the road shows
I need a day out
Lisa
@trueblue
yes that is correct see department of enterprise guidelines on illegable work catagories for work visa holders If the person was awarded full time residency then the rule might be different but the rule reads non EEA citizen so unless you were to take Irish citizenship I believe the rule would still be applicable.So I would contend that all non EEA citizens are excluded from working as a driver except as a HGV driver by both european and Irish law. so your bus driver is definitly illegal the status of the luas operator is open to interpretation as he is an opperator and not necessarily a driver he also does not opperate his vehicle on the public highway but on rails laid on the public highway.There is no such thing as a luas driving licence issued by the state.So he may not be considered a driver
@ robo, try spellcheck!
@john
Wow, how has no one ever said anything or done anything about this?? I take it to operate in the transport industry then they would have to have a passport for a euro country. Surely that would be easy to check up on, and you would assume that dublin bus and other transport companies would know this and be very strict about it. But i wonder does the the taxi reg know and check up on it. What would be the repercussions for these companies and the TR for not adhereing to these rules??
@trueblue, I am a mature student in Trinity College and have been sitting exams this week. Most of these examinations were held in the Simmonscourt pavillion in the R.D.S.. Yesterday morning I brought my car and sat in the car ‘cramming’ in the last bits of info into my ould’ middle-aged brain. I was there for a couple of hours before the deadline. As I sat there the other students/drivers began to arrive.
I like most ‘taxi heads’ ( I sold my plate a month ago) was countng the taxi roofsigns, this being an indicator of how many taxi drivers are studying, either part-time or full-time. Six taxis were parked and as I walked down through the car park I looked into cars, or looked in at the drivers. I counted three Asian-Chinese students. These three people could be EEA/Irsh citizens and someone could justifiably say that it is none of my business…but if it is true that non-EEA nationals are not allowed to drive cars, what,s going on??? Is this another Irish solution to an Irish problem???
By the way, before some genius jumps in and accuses me of double-jobbing, I would like to say that as a self-employed taxi-driver I am not entitled to anything from the state. I am now in college for two full years and was driving my taxi at nights and weekends, but it didn’t pay. So sold the plate and I am now ‘actively seeking’ work… but here’s the thing , as they say, if there were no illegal drivers well then maybe, just maybe…
one thing I do know is this–Irish people in general have absolutely no sympathy for Irish taxi drivers, now that I am out of the game I am getting a more honest feedback. People will say one thing to a driver in the car and something different later. I believe that part of the reason for this is the absolutely dire ‘representation’ that drivers were given over the years. The mis-representation has caused irreversible damage. Frank Byrne, JIm Waldron and TDFC have been better advocates for this business in less than six months than the ‘others’ have been in many years. As a defeated comrade, I say to taxi drivers: Support TDFC…They may be your only chance of survival.
The taxi reg does not issue SPSV licences they are issued by the garda and as this licence only allows you to opperate a SPSV but does not entitle you automatically to employment no work permit is required when applying to sit the test.When applying to purchase a taxi licence all you need is money and a tax clearance cert.Entrants into the taxi industry could be confused into thinking that the holding of both of these licences permits them to own or drive a taxi for hire this would be a wrong assumption.I have informed both justice and transport of this oversight and have had a long telephone conversation with the legal team in the regs office on this issue.
@j m
do you think that you have a case here ??
sounds like you might .but will those with the powers act on this .
i fear not .
Could someone not mention it to tdfc? I think people might be afraid of challenging this because of R****m thing?? Also what did there legal team think of it??
@john m
Good luck with exams
@ trublu, Thanks very much.
When I graduate, hopefully, I will be a genuine know-all (former) taxi driver. I have to say that up to two years ageo, I loved being a taxi driver,,, it eventually got the better of me,,,but I do believe that every dog has his/her day.
Those responsible for destyroying taxi-driver’s livelihoods will brought to account. I just hope that it comes sooner rather than later.
Oh Dear
,
Kathleen has had a few death threats, even a bullet in the post. She has called in Plod to get to the bottom of it – shouldn’t take too long – they’re can’t be any more than 25,000 suspects give or take. If you’re reading this Guard, it wasn’t me, honest.
On a more serious note, it’s not nice, irresponsible in fact, but as I have said often before, if you deny people a reasonable hearing sooner or later you have do deal with an unreasonable response. That’s ‘History for Beginners’. There is a lot of anger out there and it can only end in tragedy if nothing is one to address it.
Cathleen is only a minor functionary/crony of the Soldiers of Destiny. The quango she operates is only one of some 700 useless entities, bleeding the taxpayers dry and creating “jobs for the boys”. The days of wine and roses are sadly gone forever for Fianna Fail.
This roadshow business is unbelievable.Expect an increase of 200 Euros in your plate renewal fee next year to pay for it.!
Its like beating up a man and then when he is lying on the ground-kicking him in the face and urinating on him. Perhaps this bullet will bring a little attention to the roadshow charade which has clearly infuriated many drivers.
Sending bullets to Cathleen is retrogressive.A lot of people in this country(not all of them taxidrivers) feel that Dempsey, Cullen, Ahern and Cowan should have been the recipients.Not in the post though-personal delivery-in the head..
and after that ditto for the remainder of their corrupt and totally incompetent crew.
Now if we only had Michael Collins and his lads back again..dream on.
Dev interned 600 of his former comrades in the 40′s and executed a few also…one of them was a completely innocent man. Anybody out there old enough to remember the ‘arms trials’???.
Jack Lynch said neither he nor Fianna Fail would not stand idly by while the nationalist population of the six counties were being burnt out of their homes and interned….
I know, I know, that kind of talk is very unfashionable in the cool Eurocentric ‘Green Party-run’ Ireland of 2009, but lest we forget…..Fianna Fail were, and always will be, the party which accommodates carpet-baggers and gombeen men. The last decent people in Fianna Fail are well gone. If Todd Andrews was alive to watch his grandson pay deference to the Christian Brothers on TV, I reckon he would have taken him and shot him…but that’s the present day Soldiers of Destiny.
According to Cathleens impressive web site:
“With regard to the number of small public service vehicle licences there were in December 2006 16,429 licensed Taxis, 4,135 licensed Hackneys and 1,146 licensed Limousines.
As at November 2007 there are 43,504 active small public service vehicle driver licences nationally”
Double in one year. !!
Jeez I wonder how many there will be in December 2009 given current job losses.? Every second car in the country will be a PSV.
The guys on welfare should be warned that if they give it up they will not get it back again so easy being now in the self employed category.
I know one unemployed painter with a wife and two kids and the state are paying his mortgage of 1200 euros a month on his negative equity house.It took him months and months to get it though.I doubt that they will be so kind to taxi drivers.
One good thing at least-the guys renting cars and plates to unfortunates will go out of business fast!
There is nothing on Cathleens extensive site about this farcical “roadshow” circus. I am going to send her an E mail asking for info!
@trueblue do you think TDFC have a legal team.They havent even got a postal address.
lads if anybody is only earning 6 euro an hour I think they should look for other employment
@rialto, they don’t have a war chest made up of contributions from slack jawed yokels
like the “so called rep organisations” to pay for a legal team.
But at least they’re honest.
Try the web sites of the ntdu or the fed and see how far you get ?
hackney drivers once upon a time got a legal team and screwed up the taxi business
Patrick you have the wrong info it was not hackney drivers it was the hackney drivers association and hackney companies that done that
@bullet they are slack jawed yokels
if you pay 20 euros and your car gets towed or clamped while protesting they say they will pay the fine for you so if 10 people get towed @60 euro each thats 600 euro 10×20 is 200 euros do you think jim or frank are going to put their hand into their own pocket and pay the difference as promised if the fund comes up short.this committee dont think things through everything is random no plan to reach the desired result read their still working hard letter everything in it is about dublin i thought this was an all ireland group.The submission is poor bring back baggage charge and extras at travel hubs.So big Dominich working in cappaquin picks up mary at the bus stop before she moves away its 4 euro for two bags of messages and 2 more caus down where dominick lives the only bus stop in town is the transport hub after all it has its own shelter mary looks at the meter 6 euro before we go anywhere is it any wonder you cant get work with them prices.inflation linked were in recession cost of living drops by 2% so off we go to have our tarrif reduced and pay for the meter reset thats genius.the idea behind TDFC is good but the leadership needs to up their game or enter the transfer market
Roy, re your statement:
“They are meeting with the road safety authority next week to determine how they can be quoted in the Goodbody report as a contributor, while it recommends that it is safe to be in charge of public safety having worked for 65/70 hrs plus.
I look forward to hearing their answers to that one!”
Interesting topic, but:
It will take one accident in which a taxi driver falls asleep at the wheel ,and his wife testifies at the inquest that he was working every hour God gave him to try and put bread on the table.When some of his customers are also killed in the incident, it may bring that quandry/question you have posed to a head.
If such an incident occurs (as it almost certainly will, given time), question is-will the relatives of the deceased passengers be able to sue the government and the taxi regulator?
BREN who do you think makes up the hackney associations and hackney companies but hackney drivers
Another great idea by TDFC hey mister Byrne or can I call you Gay.Taxi drivers working to long for safety.O O O K then we will recomend they put a tacograph in your cab and there is one for everybody bla bla bla.Is it any wonder Dempsey recognises them come on boys anymore own goals
@Rialto,or (LK), i think theres a lot of sour grapes here. I for one, stand full square behind the TDFC committee i may not agree with all strategies employed but feel they’re open and honest.
Give them a chance , unlike others they can’t be threatened through their bank a/cs
and their silence bought.
Yes, there’s plenty of evidence on this website of everything that is trying to drag this industry back to the dark ages. Sad old people, they’ll be out of their misery soon enough.
NIGEL dont worry about it your misery is just beginning
NIGEL GOD might take pity on you and inspire you to go to a hardware shop and buy some rope and guide you how to hang yourself because it dont seem you would have enough brains to know how to do it yourself.
Ha ha, no, patrick, the difference between me and you is, I have a load of my life left, and I have learnt a lot from this, and will never make the same mistakes again. I will never trust a thing the state tells me again, either. I have a lot of anger at the moment, and I intend to vent it at the next election. But I will move on.
You, on the other hand, seem to be full of as much anger, but seem not to have figured out how to deal with it. You are brimming over with it in all the wrong directions. It’s going to fester and kill you if you don’t get a grip of yourself. There’s no shame in facing up to it, you just have to learn to make the most of what you have. Don’t waste your life. I wasted enough of mine driving a taxi. I won’t waste any more!
Don’t be a troll; at the end of the day, it’s only your own heart and soul you are destroying. It doesn’t hurt anyone else.
NIGEL you are blaming the state again why not take responsibility for your own actions. YOU wrote you stopped driving a taxi and you expect the state to keep you.
I’ll just say this: I worked hard in other jobs for twenty years, and paid thousands and thousands in tax. I watched twenty years of mostly FF governments squander that money on themselves, their buddies, their quangos, and all the nonsense that went on in this country. Precious little of it was spent where it should have been.
I can tell you I will claim back everything I am entitled to, and will have no shame about it.
NIGEL everybody who is on the paye system pays tax so stop complaining.
Hi everyone I have just heard a vicious rumour that plate renewal may be increased to 1500.00 euro per annum from next year. Surely this can’t be true things are desperate enough as it is. Has anyone else heard anything?