A NEW INVESTIGATION has revealed how people who are not registered taxi drivers can buy roof signs for as little as €200 in Cork city.

Taxi drivers in the city said a complete overhaul of the industry is needed before some innocent member of the public is defrauded or seriously injured.

The investigation – the second of its kind in the past 12 months – was carried out by TV3.

The Allied Cork Taxi Group, which represents some taxi drivers in the city, described the investigation as ‘shocking’ and said it demonstrated how easy it is for a criminal to buy taxi roof signs.

The National Transport Authority has said it will review its procedures after being informed of the findings.

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Seriously injured

In a statement, the NTA, said: “The design of the currently used taxi roof signs in Ireland dates back many years. Because of this, the NTA does not own the design of the sign and cannot legally control or prevent sign manufacturers from making a taxi sign.

“It is an offence to operate a vehicle with a sign saying ‘taxi’ or “’tacsaí’ unless the vehicle is licensed as a taxi.

A person found guilty of that offence can be fined up to €5,000.

In response to the investigation, the Department of Transport said: ”The regulation of the taxi industry, including issues relating to taxi signage, is a matter for the regulator, the National Transport Authority.”