Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)

I will share my time with Deputy Martin Ferris.

I welcome the Road Transport Bill 2011 in so far as it deals with the character of licence holders and the people they employ in a similar manner to the legislation on private security firms. I ask the Minister to consider updating the taxi regulation legislation to put in place a similar regime to ensure the reputation of that industry and protect the safety of customers, pedestrians and other road users. The Bill provides for a number of housekeeping reforms in the area of road transport. I have little difficulty with the intentions behind the Bill.

However, I will table an amendment on Committee Stage on behalf of Sinn Féin. Under the Good Friday Agreement signed by the Government of this State in 1998, this House recognises: "the importance of measures to facilitate the reintegration of prisoners into the community by providing support both prior to and after release, including assistance directed towards availing of employment opportunities, re-training and/or reskilling, and further education." The Agreement recognises the political context of the conflict which happened in Ireland between 1960 and its signing and that actions carried out by IRA volunteers were politically motivated. As such, IRA prisoners were political prisoners and following the ceasefire they were released from prison as part of a process of peace building. This has been a massive success for society, North and South. We now have a more inclusive society in which sectarianism is on the back foot and the days of the orange state's oppression of the Nationalist people of the North is over. There will be no more Bloody Sundays.

Unfortunately, many former political prisoners are finding it difficult to secure a place in their communities, whether North or South. Despite the conditions of the Good Friday Agreement, the Hillsborough Agreement and the St. Andrew's Agreement, along with the guidelines that have been published subsequently, political prisoners continue to suffer discrimination. Obstacles continue to be erected in the way of their search for employment or business opportunities. This Bill neglects the plight of these ex-prisoners. It puts in place rules which would make it difficult for them to obtain a road transport operator licence or work in a licence holder's business.

I am a former political prisoner. All my life I have worked for my community and I continue to work with local people for better services and to defend their rights. In February 2011 I was elected to the Parliament of this State and, as a Deputy, I can speak on this Bill and table amendments to it. I was elected with thousands of votes from the people of Finglas, Ballymun, Glasnevin, Whitehall, Beaumont and Santry. However, if I seek a road transport operator's licence or a job with a licence holder, this would count for nothing. Members from other parties have been imprisoned for political actions, including some of the Minister's colleagues in the Labour Party.

There are thousands of former political prisoners in the State, the vast majority of whom are pillars of society. They have obtained further educational qualifications and include in their number doctors of every subject one can imagine. They are respected in their current fields of activity and they helped to build and keep peace. The State has failed to comply with its end of the bargain in terms of respecting the political context of their imprisonment. It alleges they are not of good repute. Anyone who knows former political prisoners, works with them or has had any dealings with them will be aware this is not a fair claim.

The St. Andrew's Agreement, which progressed the peace process and brought about the renewal of power sharing, states: "[t]he Government will work with business, trade unions and ex-prisoner groups to produce guidance for employers which will reduce barriers to employment and enhance re-integration of former prisoners." A working group established under the agreement to focus on the issues arising for prisoners stated: "that conflict-related convictions of 'politically motivated' ex-prisoners, or their membership of any organisation, should not generally be taken into account [in accessing employment, facilities, goods or services] provided that the act to which the conviction relates, or the membership, predates the Agreement."

The Government must uphold its side of the bargain with the prisoners who took risks for peace. It must treat them fairly and allow them to live normal lives in this new dispensation, which they have played a major role in creating. It is 13 years since the Good Friday Agreement was signed. It is time this commitment was part of all legislation dealing with this type of issue. Sinn Féin cannot accept the Bill as long as it discriminates against former political prisoners in contravention of the principles set out in the Good Friday Agreement and its successors. I ask the House to support this amendment so that the Bill can pass without delay.

I take this opportunity to raise other issues with the Minister. The Bill aims at improving safety on our roads by controlling who can hold a road transport operator licence, with the aim of filtering out undesirable elements. I ask the Minister to consider an NCT system for motorbikes and scooters, such as Lambrettas and Vespas. It is time we rolled out the NCT to all registered vehicles, whether trucks, cars or motorbikes. Penalty points should also be introduced to deal with the illegal use of these vehicles for dumping or other offences.

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