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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Taxi bill 'could cost 450 jobs' | Taxi bill 'could cost 450 jobs' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A new law for taxi drivers could leave more than 450 of them out of work, a union spokesman has warned. | A new law for taxi drivers could leave more than 450 of them out of work, a union spokesman has warned. |
| The Taxis Bill, aimed at improving safety and standards in the industry, is being debated in the assembly. | The Taxis Bill, aimed at improving safety and standards in the industry, is being debated in the assembly. |
| It will make it easier to clamp down on illegal drivers and will allow taxis to pick up fares without a booking. | It will make it easier to clamp down on illegal drivers and will allow taxis to pick up fares without a booking. |
| Environment Minister Arlene Foster told the assembly she could not see why it would lead to redundancies, given the increased demand for taxis in Belfast. | Environment Minister Arlene Foster told the assembly she could not see why it would lead to redundancies, given the increased demand for taxis in Belfast. |
| Her department claims the proposals will improve safety and improve industry standards. | |
| However, Sean Smith of the Transport and General Workers Union said he believed the bill would put drivers out of a job and destroy the industry. | |
| "The DoE are not telling the MLAs the truth, that there are people opposed to this," Mr Smith said. | "The DoE are not telling the MLAs the truth, that there are people opposed to this," Mr Smith said. |
| "This whole legislation will destroy the taxi industry as we know it in Northern Ireland. | "This whole legislation will destroy the taxi industry as we know it in Northern Ireland. |
| "It'll create jobs for bureaucrats and civil servants while putting 450 Belfast taxi drivers on the dole." | "It'll create jobs for bureaucrats and civil servants while putting 450 Belfast taxi drivers on the dole." |
| The proposed legislation passed its second stage at Stormont on Tuesday. But it may yet be amended at committee stage. |