John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

This is an opportunity to speak on a few issues relating to road transport. I welcome the legislation but agree with the previous speaker, Deputy Calleary, that it is a pity this is being introduced in a rather rushed fashion on the eve of the implementation of the new European Union directive on road transport. The legislation is rather uncontroversial, with three basic areas of reform proposed. I am glad the Minister has indicated he will examine road transport in greater detail on a date in the near future. The proposal to change the criteria by which people will be eligible for licences based on their record is pretty self-explanatory, as is the proposal to increase the accessibility of information with regard to those who hold licences. The increase in penalties is also appropriate.

It is a difficult time for those who are involved in road transport because of the cost of the business and regulation being imposed. It is not an easy time to be in the business, no more than it is to work in other sectors now. I agree with Deputy Calleary and join him in welcoming the reduced number of serious accidents and road fatalities in the past 12 months. That is largely down to improved driver behaviour and it may also be a result of an improved road network across the country, which is at least one legacy from the Celtic tiger years.

I emphasise for the Minister the importance of ongoing funding being provided for local roads projects in a budgetary context. There have been recent announcements on the capital budget and most of the significant capital expenditure has been completed. Most of the inter-urban routes are finished and as a result, there is not as much funding for major national capital expenditure. Nevertheless, it is important to provide funding for local authorities to keep up regional and local county roads which carry a large volume of traffic, including haulage and public transport. In so far as is possible, that funding should remain in place.

There is also the issue of signage on the new motorways. This is an ongoing saga in many parts of the country and my constituency colleague had a result in the provision of signage for Carlow town on the local bypass. There is ongoing saga on the edge of Waterford city, where I live, regarding some of the signage provided when that bypass and the M9 was completed. It seems to be very difficult to get co-operation from the National Roads Authority on the signage to be put in place. Nobody wants a proliferation of advertising signage on motorways but directional signage would seem to be essential, as it is grossly inadequate in many parts of the country. I ask that funding for that area would be protected in the upcoming budget and that there might be some more co-operation by the National Roads Authority with local communities seeking access to villages to be signalled on the new motorway network.

The testing of commercial vehicles, such as lorries and buses, is also an issue. There is an existing network of privately operated testing centres throughout the country, with a review of the licensing system under which they operate having been completed. Proposals have been drawn up and the owners of these facilities will have to apply to provide the service. Up to now, the granting of the licence was, in effect, open-ended, but it will now be renewed every ten years. Does the Minister have any information on how that will develop in the course of the next few months, as the new practice has not come into effect?

It is important to continue funding for local authorities in order to provide signage on local and regional roads. I welcome this legislation and I am glad to have had the opportunity to speak. Will the Minister come back on some of the points raised?

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