Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I contend that is being done. Some €20 million worth of measures have been identified and are in place. This initiative began as a result of the Spring Council meeting at EU level a few years ago. The EU 15 are being monitored in that respect and have those arrangements in place. We are proceeding along the lines and doing the work as envisaged. Individual issues will be raised and where each local authority sees the wide-bodied vehicle passing through, it saw an opportunity to claim a fee. Clearly, there should be one overall fee but then the question arises as to who should get it. Individual examples can be cited where it would have been better to deal with that comprehensively as a single trip from A to B. Perhaps the host licensing authority would be the beneficiary of that. There are always opportunities for better arrangements. By the same token, situations arise where there are problems related to health and safety or other issues. Deputies in this House would be the first to stand up and ask whether people are in compliance with the regulatory arrangements. We need to see perceived proportionality and consistency in respect of regulation. A commonsense approach is required and it is important those tasked with compliance and enforcement functions, which are statutory obligations that cannot be ignored, apply common sense and give people an opportunity to put their houses in order where they deem there is a willing partner on the other side in the employer community, prepared to work with the authority to rectify a safety issue or an issue concerning consumer goods. It is important that a balance is struck and one needs people with good judgment to initiate and enforce the arrangements.

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