Today, thousands of taxi drivers are assembling in Dublin city. Over the past 15 months, their industry and livelihoods have essentially been destroyed. This industry has suffered hugely in that period. Taxi drivers are calling on the Government for extra supports for their industry and their livelihoods, and also for a moratorium on new leases in respect of taxi plates. They met the Taoiseach recently, but they have been left very frustrated about their industry. They hope to literally get back on the road, but without the supports I outlined, the industry that we all used prior to the pandemic is on its knees and requires Government support.

I acknowledge, as does the Government, that the taxi industry has been severely damaged by the pandemic. Taxi drivers have incurred enormous economic losses, much more so than the average person. It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge that the Government has done a lot to help already. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, announced a €15 million package last year. Licence fees have been waived. Like other self-employed people, taxi drivers can claim the pandemic unemployment payment and still work and still charge fares, up to a certain limit. That was a major concession. It is important that taxi drivers can operate their vehicles and still claim the PUP. There is a lump sum for those who are able to come off the PUP. We are aware of the difficulties taxi drivers face. The Minister for Transport will be engaging with them and seeing if there are other things that we can do. The best thing we can do is to get them working again.