What was set to become one of the most disruptive transport protests of the year has now been put on pause, after taxi drivers agreed to suspend their planned six-day action in Dublin over Uber’s fixed fare system.
Taxi Drivers Ireland confirmed on Friday afternoon that the large-scale demonstrations — which were due to begin next week and involve city-centre convoys and targeted airport delays — have been temporarily suspended following an agreement to enter talks at Government Buildings.
In a statement, the organisation said: “Taxi drivers have confirmed they are suspending further escalation of protest action pending the outcome of a meeting at Government Buildings scheduled for next week.” They added that they had informed An Garda Síochána that all protest activity would be paused while engagement with the Government takes place.
A spokesperson said: “We are acting in good faith. Pending the outcome of next week’s meeting, we have suspended further protest action and hope meaningful progress will be made on the issues facing taxi drivers.” The group stressed that the suspension is temporary, subject to the results of next week’s discussions.
Despite the pause, the concerns remain the same. Drivers insist that the new fixed rates introduced by Uber are sometimes a third of what they would receive under a metered fare, arguing they cannot “quietly accept the destruction of our livelihoods”.
@radionova100fm
Over 2,000 taxis are rallying around Merrion Square. We’ve spoken with taxi drivers who recommend Hola Taxi instead of multinationals such as Uber, Freenow or Bolt. Lar Kelly, director of Hola Taxi, explained that drivers become shareholders, owning 60% of it, therefore driving the company and having much more decision-power Others believe Uber coming to Ireland will boost the economy ️
♬ Stranger Things - The Theme System
Taxi Drivers Ireland had previously announced a six-day “national shutdown protest” from Monday 8 December to Saturday 13 December, citing ongoing frustration over what they say is a Government failure to intervene. National spokesperson Derek O’Keeffe said that, under the original plan, drivers would proceed in convoy from Mountjoy Square to Merrion Square on 8, 10 and 12 December, from 7am until 5pm. On Tuesday 9 December and Thursday 11 December, drivers planned to protest across all holding areas and access locations outside Dublin Airport between 4.30pm and 7.30pm, directly targeting rush-hour traffic. A final “rolling convoy” protest was scheduled for Saturday 13 December, beginning at Dublin Airport before travelling into the city centre via Dame Street, forming a slow-moving demonstration from 4pm to 6pm.
Those plans now remain on hold, but not cancelled.
The group has long argued that the current regulatory system has not kept pace with app-based platforms. Before the suspension, Derek O’Keeffe warned: “We are watching a regulated profession being dismantled in real time. This is what happens when working people are left with no voice. We are not doing this lightly. We are doing it because we are being forced to.” He continued: “We have played by the rules. We have protested peacefully. We have asked to be heard. Nothing has changed. So now the Irish taxi industry is going up a gear.” The organisation had also apologised in advance to the public for expected disruption, saying: “We do not want protests. We want to work. But we will not quietly accept the destruction of our livelihoods.”
The Department of Transport previously said that while Minister Darragh O’Brien is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the taxi sector, he has written to the National Transport Authority to clarify the regulatory position on Uber’s fixed fare system.
The NTA has stated it sets the maximum fare that taxi drivers can charge, but does not regulate the commercial arrangements between drivers and private booking platforms.
Taxi drivers say meaningful engagement must take place next week or they will reconsider their suspended action. For now, Dublin commuters have been spared a full city-wide shutdown — but the dispute is far from resolved.
If talks fail, the previously announced schedule of convoys, airport actions and city-centre blockades may still go ahead.
