Calls have been made to reintroduce pick-up and luggage charges at Dublin Airport to improve taxi services.

The comments come as the DAA has launched a consultation process hoping to improve the taxi services at the airport.

Joe Herron, president of the Irish Taxi Drivers’ Federation, said that the shortage of taxis at the airport is because drivers get more fares in the city centre.

He told the Irish Independent: "If there is work in the city centre, it is not advantageous to travel out to the airport."

Mr Herron suggested a passenger pick-up fee of €2 per person and a luggage fee of 50 cents per bag could help incentivise taxi drivers to provide more services at the airport.

There had previously been a €1.50 pick-up fee and 70 cents luggage charge which was scraped in 2006.

Speaking about the fixed pick-up charge, a Dublin Airport spokesman said that the DAA “was not going to pre-judge the consultation process in advance”.

They told Dublin Live: “There are some sectoral issues that are affecting the provision of taxis generally at peak times in Dublin and these are also likely to be discussed within the remit of the consultation.

“All views are welcome within the consultation process which will be followed by direct discussions with key interested parties.

“We want to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to deliver an improvement in the overall taxi product at the airport.”

Currently there are 1,450 taxi permit holders operating at the airport.

Earlier this month Twitter Ireland managing director Sinead McSweeney slammed the taxi rank at the airport as “the worst” after claiming that passengers had been left waiting for taxis late at night.

She wrote on Twitter: “Seriously @DublinAirport someone needs to sort out the (mis)management of the Terminal 2 taxi rank!

“Midnight, 20 fares in a queue and cars coming up in dribs and drabs.”