Transport

Uber lobbies Varadkar over comments around easing regulations

Tánaiste pointed to other jurisdictions where services like Uber and Lyft operate alongside taxis and public transport, and said companies could help address these shortages

The correspondence was sent three weeks before the leak of the Uber Files, a database of the company’s activities in numerous countries between 2013 and 2017. Picture: Getty

Uber, the US ride-sharing giant, lobbied Leo Varadkar after the Tánaiste said it was time to consider liberalising the country’s laws governing industry rules.

The company, which is not permitted to operate its private car-sharing service in Ireland, sought a meeting with Varadkar, the Minister for Enterprise, following comments he made about a lack of taxis in Dublin, documents released under freedom of information show.

Furthermore, the company sought to discuss the Department of Transport’s ...