Ireland’s watchdog urges lifting ride-hailing rules to ease rural taxi shortages.

Ireland’s consumer watchdog, the CCPC, is urging the government to remove regulatory barriers blocking ride-hailing services like Uber and Bolt, citing a significant taxi shortage—especially in rural areas—where 40% of people struggled to book a cab in December. The CCPC found that nearly two-thirds in rural regions believe there aren’t enough taxis, and 49% of users want access to ride-hailing apps for greater choice and fixed fares. It argues that requiring new drivers to use wheelchair-accessible vehicles discourages entry, reducing overall supply, and calls for modernized rules that maintain safety standards like garda vetting while boosting competition and innovation. The push comes ahead of a national regulatory review later in 2026.