Later today, thousands of taxi drivers will take part in a slow drive protest against Uber's new maximum pricing feature. Taxi drivers say this move is a blatant attempt to undermine the National Transport Authority, NTA, regulations and that it will be absolutely devastating to their incomes and for the future of the industry. They also tell us, and we know from other places where Uber has introduced this model, that it has resulted in a bad deal for taxi drivers, who end up being forced to pay much higher commission, and also higher prices for customers as choice dries up. Taxi drivers have been left with no option but to take to the roads of the capital to confront what they see as a big threat to their livelihoods. They are calling for the NTA regulations to be updated to capture the impact of dispatch apps on the industry and on income of taxi drivers. The Government needs to get involved now and sort this out. This is a serious issue for taxi drivers right across the State, but it is also a very serious issue for customers who could see higher prices as choice dries up, as we have seen in other jurisdictions where this happened.

I thank Deputy Doherty. I am aware of this issue and the significant concern of taxi drivers in relation to this. The factual position given by the Department is that dispatch operators are required to provide bookings to small public service vehicle, SPSV, licensed drivers using SPSV licensed vehicles only. Where taxi drivers choose to affiliate with a dispatch operator, they are free to contract with a dispatch operator of their choice. However, I do understand there is genuine concern and worry in relation to this. The Minister for Transport did issue a letter to the NTA on 19 November asking it to engage and clarify the regulatory position for SPSV operators. I will certainly take the Deputy's request back to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien.