Dublin Corporation law agents have been examining whether it can introduce special bonuses for taxi-drivers working tomorrow night, to ensure a full taxi fleet.
The legal staff are to report back today to the corporation's director of traffic, Mr Owen Keegan.
Fare changes require the joint taxi committee's approval and ratification by each city or county council. The corporation is asking if an increase could be approved by the city manager immediately. Dublin taxi-drivers are threatening not to work unless they receive additional payments.
The National Taxi Drivers' Union predicts that less than a third of its Dublin members will work.
The Minister of State and Millennium Committee chairman, Mr Seamus Brennan, said the taxi unions had agreed in principle to an extra £4.50 to £5 per journey on the night. The unions had sought tripled fares in Dublin. They have accepted an additional £3 to £5 per journey offered by Cork, Galway and Limerick authorities.
