Fined for displaying the Tricolour

oisindoyle

A taxi driver was fined 250 euro by the taxi regulator for having a tricolour sticker on his roof sign .
Surely this is an infringement of a persons right .
Are we now being penalised for having our national flag displayed?We are only an independent country a short while surely a driver can be proud of his country .Yet the regulator sees otherwise ..
Given the chaos and anger amongst the taxi business ,I fear this is a step too far ..

Ham'nd'egger

Oísin, have you a link or source for the tale?

oisindoyle wrote: »

A taxi driver was fined 250 euro by the taxi regulator for having a tricolour sticker on his roof sign .
Surely this is an infringement of a persons right .
Are we now being penalised for having our national flag displayed?We are only an independent country a short while surely a driver can be proud of his country .Yet the regulator sees otherwise ..
Given the chaos and anger amongst the taxi business ,I fear this is a step too far ..

Edit, just seen that people heard it on Joe Duffy.

Mint Sauce

oisindoyle wrote: »

A taxi driver was fined 250 euro by the taxi regulator for having a tricolour sticker on his roof sign .
Surely this is an infringement of a persons right .
Are we now being penalised for having our national flag displayed?We are only an independent country a short while surely a driver can be proud of his country .Yet the regulator sees otherwise ..
Given the chaos and anger amongst the taxi business ,I fear this is a step too far ..

heard about this earlier, fear we are going down the same route of whats been happening in the UK, enland in particular of drivers there displaying the flag of st george on the their cars/vans, over fears it may offend a none english person, in this case a none irish person

snubbleste

oisindoyle wrote: »

A taxi driver was fined 250 euro by the taxi regulator for having a tricolour sticker on his roof sign .
Surely this is an infringement of a persons right .
Are we now being penalised for having our national flag displayed?We are only an independent country a short while surely a driver can be proud of his country .Yet the regulator sees otherwise ..
Given the chaos and anger amongst the taxi business ,I fear this is a step too far ..

You can't put anything on your taxi plate except a wheelchair symbol and some other symbol. Them is the rules.
I heard that driver on Liveline, it was obvious he put it up to distinguish himself from non-irish taxi drivers.

Alun

I'm guessing he was actually fined for having a non-standard roof sign. The fact that it was an Irish tricolour that made it non-standard is irrelevant here, it could just as well have been anything else.

Ham'nd'egger

Alun wrote: »

I'm guessing he was actually fined for having a non-standard roof sign. The fact that it was an Irish tricolour that made it non-standard is irrelevant here, it could just as well have been anything else.

A taxi can only have either a contact phone number or a union/taxi association on a taxi roof sign.

Polar101

Maybe he should have put the sticker on his window, and save the fuss. Of course, it is more entertaining to blame it on a foreign conspiracy and call Liveline.

Run_to_da_hills

He probably would have got away with had it being the EU flag. :pac:

marmurr1916

So the real story is that a taxi driver has been threatened with a fine for having an unapproved sticker on his sign.

But the attempted spin is that a hard-working, patriotic taxi driver has been penalised in a case of political correctness gone mad, blah, blah, blah...

This guy would have been penalised if he had put one of those radio station stickers on his taxi sign, so the warning is nothing to do with so-called attempts to ban the Irish flag.

A total non-story. :rolleyes:

jeemojney

correct !

he started out with the sticker story but then went off rambling about the regulator blah blah blah

wasn't even fined, was threatened with a fine if the inspector saw him again and he hadn't removed the sticker

Sponge Bob

LOL , he has a second hand black cab from Belfast does he ??

Is he maybe from the Ivory Coast as they also have a tricolour ???

IIMII

To be honest, I liked the old style thinking whereby your flag was you flag, and it was not acceptable to scrawl messages on it, stick it on your mug or tattoo it on your head. That stuff of sticking the flag everywhere but on a flag pole is a pain, and to be honest I'm glad it isn't being stuck on a taxi roof sign. That said, he can get his taxi sign As Gaeilge if he wants, and I'd be delighted to see that

Taxipete29

marmurr1916 wrote: »

So the real story is that a taxi driver has been threatened with a fine for having an unapproved sticker on his sign.

But the attempted spin is that a hard-working, patriotic taxi driver has been penalised in a case of political correctness gone mad, blah, blah, blah...

This guy would have been penalised if he had put one of those radio station stickers on his taxi sign, so the warning is nothing to do with so-called attempts to ban the Irish flag.

A total non-story. :rolleyes:

Totally agree with this. Its this kind of rubbish story that detracts from the real issues within the industry

JayeL

oisindoyle wrote: »

A driver can be proud of his country

Gimme a break. We all know Ireland is an independent country, this doesn't imply a right to stick a flag anywhere a taxi driver wants.

There's a time and place for flag-waving; the roof of a Skoda Octavia is not one of these places.

baloonatic

I think that the drivers have every right to display a tricolour if they wish. Aside from the original thread story where the fine was fully justified, there is no reason that a driver should not be allowed displaya tricolour or simlilar type sticker. Naturally there are limits but there should be nothing wrong with a business owner advertising that his business is Irish owned and operated. Other businesses do it, why not PSV operators?

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dvpower

We should move towards standardisation of the taxi fleet. All the same (range of) make and model and all the same colour (the cars, not the drivers:cool:) .

Punters generally don't care about the drivers nationality, their choice of football team or what their other car is.

oisindoyle

I know some drivers have the tricolors to show that they are Irish drivers,who can speak english and have an idea where to go .I have heard a lot of stories recently where the driver has little english and uses the phrase,,"You show I go "

Taxipete29

dvpower wrote: »

Punters generally don't care about the drivers nationality

You are quite naive if you think this is true

Calina

oisindoyle wrote: »

I know some drivers have the tricolors to show that they are Irish drivers,who can speak english and have an idea where to go .I have heard a lot of stories recently where the driver has little english and uses the phrase,,"You show I go "

presumably you could complain to the Taxi Regulator about this? I know our standards are comparatively low compared to other places with respect to things like the Knowledge in London, for example, but surely to God there has to be some regulation this breaks.

As for the grief over the tricolour I'm all for standardising the roof signs in the way that number plates, for example, are supposed to be standardised. I don't get where the problem is. It's not actually going to make me more likely to support a flag bearing taxi over a non-flag bearing taxi. And I wouldn't use it to interpret "English speaking driver who doesn't need a map to find someplace or other in Dublin". I expect all taxi drivers to be able to do this, after all.

Naive as it may be but that's what I expect from the taxi roof sign first up.

EDIT: By English speaking, I don't necessarily mean native English speaking, but someone who is fluent enough to do business on a day to day basis.

IIMII

Calina wrote: »

EDIT: By English speaking, I don't necessarily mean native English speaking, but someone who is fluent enough to do business on a day to day basis.

Exactly, because there are few enough English natives driving taxis in this country anyway, and they might want to stick Union Jacks on their taxis, thereby depriving non-native English speaking Irish taxi drivers from getting work

Wishbone Ash

baloonatic wrote: »

I think that the drivers have every right to display a tricolour if they wish

What you 'think'is irrelevant. The law specifies what can be displayed on a roof sign. The fact that it was a flag is irrelevant and is not the reason for the attention of the taxi regulator's inspectors. It would also be illegal to display a tri-colour on the reg plate.

Aside from the original thread story where the fine was fully justified,

He wasn't fined. He was informed that, should he be found with it in future, he may be fined.

there is no reason that a driver should not be allowed displaya tricolour or simlilar type sticker

He could have displayed it elsewhere on the vehicle if he wanted to. If he doesn't like the regulations, there is noone forcing him to operate a taxi.

gjim

oisindoyle wrote: »

I know some drivers have the tricolors to show that they are Irish drivers,who can speak english and have an idea where to go .I have heard a lot of stories recently where the driver has little english and uses the phrase,,"You show I go "

A lot, eh? I suspect you've heard one story or a load of made-up b*llox but are happy to regurgitate it for xenophobic reasons. I've had hundreds of taxi journeys in Dublin over the last couple of years and I've had more issues with Irish drivers than with non-Irish drivers. When I want a taxi, I want a car that is well-maintained, comfortable, doesn't smell of cabbage and is run by a driver who doesn't start ranting with off-colour political opinions. When I want to wave a tricolour, I go football match in Croke park.

baloonatic

I don't think i was too clear,

My point was that the guy made a big deal about the fact that it was a tricolour he was told to remove. In fact, he would have been told to remove anything at all on the taxi plate if it's not a recognised union or dispatch company. No matter what he had on the roof sign, he would have been told to take it off, whether it was a sign which said he loved the TR / Gardai / Daniel O'Donnell, it shouldn't be there.

Secondly I'm aware that a fine wasn't given, but one was justified.

Hope that clears that up

- Steve

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corktina

IIMII wrote: »

Exactly, because there are few enough English natives driving taxis in this country anyway, and they might want to stick Union Jacks on their taxis, thereby depriving non-native English speaking Irish taxi drivers from getting work

aha he has you by the bollox ther Callina...a hyphen between 'english' and 'speaking' might have done the trick.

Terrontress

I'd be less inclined to use a taxi where the driver goes to great length to impress on potential customers that he is Irish.

Jumpy

corktina wrote: »

aha he has you by the bollox ther Callina...a hyphen between 'english' and 'speaking' might have done the trick.

You are implying that english taxi drivers can speak. A HUGE assumption.

Run_to_da_hills

I have a mate a Taxi driver and she says its illegal to place any poster or flyer on a taxi window that the public may view.

Cookie_Monster

IT's a pity you aren't allowed to do this sort of thing. The irish flag should be displayed more and people should be prouder of it. What difference to the taxi sign does it make? Absolutly none IMO.

In Dubai they drive around with flags/murals covering the entire back window, but you probably wouldn't get away with that over here either:rolleyes:

Imagine this happening in New York. It'd probably be the opposite, if the driver didn't have at least 16 US flags on the taxi he would be fined for being un-patriotic:D:D

Terrontress

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

IT's a pity you aren't allowed to do this sort of thing. The irish flag should be displayed more and people should be prouder of it. What difference to the taxi sign does it make? Absolutly none IMO.

In Dubai they drive around with flags/murals covering the entire back window, but you probably wouldn't get away with that over here either:rolleyes:

Imagine this happening in New York. It'd probably be the opposite, if the driver didn't have at least 16 US flags on the taxi he would be fined for being un-patriotic:D:D

I've seen taxis in Dublin with the entire back windows obscured with adverts. Wheelchair accessible as well as normal saloons. I'd say drivers don't put flags on there as it doesn't bring in the same revenue as an ad.

There are a specific set of rules concerning taxi signs and they must be met. Simple as. You'll see it elsewhere too. In Belfast, the signs are white on the front, red on the back. They have either the word taxi or the name of their company on the front and either their phone number or a blank space on the rear.

I think it's fair enough to insist on regulations for a taxi sign.

Another issue here is that the driver is trying to entice people into his car over those driven by people not born in Ireland. It's not patriotism which has him displaying it. It's € signs.

You can be proud of your country and its flag without having to plaster it on every available surface.

busman

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

IT's a pity you aren't allowed to do this sort of thing. The irish flag should be displayed more and people should be prouder of it. What difference to the taxi sign does it make? Absolutly none IMO.

In Dubai they drive around with flags/murals covering the entire back window, but you probably wouldn't get away with that over here either:rolleyes:

Imagine this happening in New York. It'd probably be the opposite, if the driver didn't have at least 16 US flags on the taxi he would be fined for being un-patriotic:D:D

There is a government protocol for displaying our national flag

http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/attached_files/Pdf%20files/The%20National%20Flag.pdf

Practices to avoid :
17 The National Flag should never be defaced by placing slogans, logos, lettering or pictures of any kind on it, for example at sporting events.
18 The National Flag should not be draped on cars, trains, boats or other modes of transport; it should not be carried flat, but should always be carried aloft and free, except when used to drape a coffin; on such an occasion, the green should be at the head of the coffin.

While this is for a physical flag, I guess there could be some flexibility in regards to stickers :-)

Run_to_da_hills

busman wrote: »

There is a government protocol for displaying our national flag

http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/attached_files/Pdf%20files/The%20National%20Flag.pdf

Practices to avoid :
17 The National Flag should never be defaced by placing slogans, logos, lettering or pictures of any kind on it, for example at sporting events.
18 The National Flag should not be draped on cars, trains, boats or other modes of transport; it should not be carried flat, but should always be carried aloft and free, except when used to drape a coffin; on such an occasion, the green should be at the head of the coffin.

While this is for a physical flag, I guess there could be some flexibility in regards to stickers :-)

Speaking on the subject of flags it is also appalling to see tricolours trampled into the ground and ditched on the side of the road after international sporting events. It doesn't matter if they are made of cheap plastic and sold for E2, a flag is a flag. The Tricolour should never be raised at night nor should be placed lower than any other flag in the vicinity including the EU flag.

marmurr1916

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

In Dubai they drive around with flags/murals covering the entire back window, but you probably wouldn't get away with that over here either:rolleyes:

Good. Completely obstructing your view out the back window is not safe driving practice.

dowlingm

The Tricolour should never be raised at night nor should be placed lower than any other flag in the vicinity especially the EU flag.

Fixed it for you

r3nu4l

oisindoyle wrote: »

I know some drivers have the tricolors to show that they are Irish drivers,who can speak english and have an idea where to go .I have heard a lot of stories recently where the driver has little english and uses the phrase,,"You show I go "

Yeah, sure! What's stopping any German or Czech, Polish driver from doing the same (showing an Irish flag on his car), you won't know any different until you are in the car and he's calling you comrade!
I make the point jokingly but seriously, an Irish flag on a car tells you **** all. In NYC loads of Indian/Pakistani/African drivers have the stars and stripes all over their cars but they are not American

Taxipete29 wrote: »

You are quite naive if you think this is true

Really? I'm quite naive so! I don't give a flying peanut where any taxi driver is from so long as s/he knows how to get me there and won't try to rip me off for doing so! I've gotten cabs in loads of cities around the world, you think I give a damn where the driver is from? He's there to get me from A to B, as quickly and safely as possible, nothing else. I don't want his opinion on politics regurgitated verbatim from the Sun, nor do I want his moaning at me about the number of 'for-en drivurs on da ro-ads bud' :rolleyes:

Run_to_da_hills

dowlingm wrote: »

Fixed it for you

Guy:Incognito

busman wrote: »

Practices to avoid :
17 The National Flag should never be defaced by placing slogans, logos, lettering or pictures of any kind on it, for example at sporting events.

"Davy Keogh says hello"

Taxipete29

r3nu4l wrote: »

Really? I'm quite naive so! I don't give a flying peanut where any taxi driver is from so long as s/he knows how to get me there and won't try to rip me off for doing so! I've gotten cabs in loads of cities around the world, you think I give a damn where the driver is from? He's there to get me from A to B, as quickly and safely as possible, nothing else. I don't want his opinion on politics regurgitated verbatim from the Sun, nor do I want his moaning at me about the number of 'for-en drivurs on da ro-ads bud' :rolleyes:

My point was that lots of people do care where the driver is from. I have seen many, many people check to make sure I was at least white before they get in the car. I am not saying its right, but it is a reality.

You took my comment personally and you have an issue becuase you obviously think taxi drivers are a lower class to you. You believe your better than them, when clearly your no different to those you chose to mock as you are practicing your own form of bigotry.