Clune criticises calls by the French Interior Minister for a clampdown on Uber

The sharing economy in Europe is estimated to be worth €10 billion and forecasted to grow to €250 billion in the next decade.

As French taxi drivers mounted increasingly angry protests at the ride sharing app Uber, Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune has labelled calls by the French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve  for a clampdown on Uber as protectionist and unhelpful. French taxi drivers have continued to blockade major transport hubs in angry protests against the US online ridesharing service, Uber, in what MEP Clune, a member of the EU Transport committee, describes as an unrealistic attempt to force Uber out of the French market.

” The actions of the taxi protestors in France are little more than thuggery disguised as legitimate protest. Taxi drivers have blocked roads to the French capital’s Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports and engaged in violent behaviour. We have had many debates, seminars and hearings in the European Parliaments Transport committee on the subject of Uber and the sharing economy. We need an EU wide comprehensive policy on how to deal with the sharing economy apps like Uber and Airbnb on a pan European basis.

“We cannot regulate Uber out of existence just because the traditional industries don’t like the competition! Those industries must evolve to meet the challenge of the sharing economy and adapt to what the consumer really wants. 1 million people in France have already downloaded Uber.

 “Love it or hate it, the sharing economy is here to stay. It’s time to work with it and harness the opportunities that the sharing economy can bring. What happens next? Should hoteliers mount the same protests because Airbnb is competing with them in France? 

 “Our role as legislators in the European Parliament is to set clear minimum standards for all service providers so that all service providers are tax compliant and adhering to the same health and safety standards. 

  “In some countries, like Spain, the authorities and the courts have moved to expel Uber. The Spanish authorities have gone as far as forcing the Spanish telecom companies to block the app on people’s phones. Portugal, encouraged by the transport unions, is making moves in the same direction. This is against the spirit of the common market and will deter investment and business into Europe.

 “ Uber asked MEPs to consider treating the company as a digital — not transport — service. The distinction is important: the EU has the power to regulate digital services under the 2006 Services Directive, but transport is largely left to the 28 member countries. We cannot continue to have 28 different sets of laws across Europe for the sharing economy.“