Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his presentation. I also welcome his decision to allow different operators to apply to operate haulier training courses.

Irish lorry drivers have been caught up in difficulties in France. We are hearing from them that they were being threatened with harsh fines and that wagons were being damaged by stones and other items thrown at them. Tachograph readings were also presenting a problem because they were being delayed through no fault of their own. The Minister referred to satellites in the context of tachographs. Does this mean that a lorry can be tracked at all times by the satellite system to which he referred? Some haulage company owners can track their lorries. The Minister's reference to satellites makes me wonder if we are going down the road of satellite monitoring.

A degree of tolerance must be shown to lorry drivers. If a driver is within 30 minutes or one hour of Holyhead, it is asking a great deal of him to pull up on the side of the road because he has done a certain number of hours, especially if the ferry is about to leave. The haulage industry operates within tight time constraints and must be shown a little tolerance. For example, a driver could be allowed to exceed the limit once per week provided he or she has a genuine reason for doing so.

The Minister referred to our European partners and everyone working together. Is it the case that French drivers are not taking the certificate of professional competence, CPC, course? I understand French hauliers have refused to take the course which hauliers in other countries take.

The Minister referred to a new system to be introduced to help younger and older drivers. A problem arose for people who had obtained their licence some years ago and were then required to obtain a trailer licence. Through no fault of their own, some of them did not go to school for long. The idea appears to be that in different towns they sit in the back of a van and take a test pressing buttons. They are sweating even before they start the test. Many of them are excellent drivers who could back up a trailer from here to Galway. However, they are fearful. Why do we not take a two-prong approach, with some people takiing the theory test and others engaging in a type of apprenticeship, perhaps in Mondelo Park or a similar facility, that would not frighten them?

Lorry drivers exiting the M7 and joining the M8 and vice versa must pay two tolls. Drivers have contacted me about this issue because the configuration of these two roads means that they must travel east first before they are able to head west. I ask the National Transport Authority to examine this issue to ensure some common sense is brought to bear.

On aviation and drones, I note that doctors in the Netherlands can send a drone in cases where people have had a heart attack. Is there a threat that Russia or another country is spying on Ireland using drones?