Thousands of taxi drivers are holding a protest in Dublin this afternoon calling for the Government to bring in a range of financial supports for the sector.

Taxi representative groups say as many as 22,000 jobs are at risk, and they're pledging to step up their protests if action isn't taken.

Drivers caused significant traffic disruption this morning as they drove from Heuston Station to Merrion Square in support of the protest.

Drivers from across Ireland are in the capital, and want the Government to create a financial support to help more drivers get back to work.

They want a weekly subsidy scheme to encourage more drivers to get back to work, and for a moratorium to be issued on new taxi licences until business starts to return to pre-pandemic levels.

They're also calling for the current system of taxis being allowed use bus lanes to remain unchanged.

Pictured are taxi drivers protesting on Merrion Square in Dublin today, as part of a nationwide taxi drivers' demonstration calling for greater government support. Photo: Leah Farrell/Rollingnews.ie

One driver at today's protest said things were 'looking good' for the sector before the pandemic hit, but the situation is now a 'disaster'.

Meanwhile, Joe Heron of the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation said they're ready to step up their protests if the Government doesn't take action

He said: "If nothing is done or we're left in the dark again like we have been, then yes we will come back again - and we'll step it up the next time."

Thousands of drivers travelled Merrion Square to support the protests.

Organisers have urged demonstrators to spread out to ensure social distancing is in place.

Main image: Pictured are taxi drivers protesting in Dublin today, as part of a nationwide taxi drivers' demonstration calling for greater government support. Picture by: Leah Farrell/Rollingnews.ie