THE Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, has condemned a protest by taximen at the Department's Custom House offices yesterday. The unofficial action, which disrupted traffic, was against new taxi plate prices.
It began at about midday with a blockade of the Custom House, and escalated into a closing-off of one lane of traffic on the quays and the blocking-off of Butt Bridge between 6 and 7p.m. last night, causing major traffic disruption.
Gardai were called and scuffles broke out as they tried to move vehicles. The action continued last night while talks took place between Department officials and taximen.
The protesters handed in a submission to the Department for the Minister's attention, and were offered a meeting with officials, which they refused. The protesters were given an assurance their, views would be passed on to Mr Howlin. They did not find this satisfactory, and refused to leave the Department's offices.
