Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to have my say on this important Bill, as it deals with an industry at the heart of most Irish businesses. Road haulage services are used by many involved in agriculture, tourism and so on. Whatever the sector, almost everyone must use road transport. That is what makes it so important and the House has an opportunity in this debate to acknowledge the great work being done by road hauliers.

The Bill is being introduced to address a number of issues arising from EU regulations dealing with road transport operators. Due to come into force on 4 December, the regulations will require a number of changes, including to the basis for national implementation. Some matters previously provided for under national regulations must now be provided for in primary legislation before early December. In this respect, the Bill seeks to maintain the requirement that transport operators be licensed, provides the basis for charging fees for licences, sets out the appeals provisions where licence applications are refused and details exemptions from the requirement to have a road transport operator licence in certain circumstances.

The Bill introduces a number of amendments to existing road transport legislation. It strengthens the existing provision on the criterion to be of good repute, provides for greater access to information contained in the national register of licensed operators, increases the penalties for unlicensed operators and provides for new offences relating to vehicles not authorised on licences. It is important to note that the regulations will not apply in certain circumstances, those being, any operators who use vehicles less than 3.5 tonnes in weight, not-for-profit road passenger transport services and road transport operators using vehicles that cannot exceed 40 km/h.

Few industries are more important than road haulage. It is the backbone of Irish businesses, small and large, and has gone through a difficult period in recent years. We all know of expert drivers who set up their own businesses and did well for many years. Unfortunately, some of these dedicated and able drivers have gone out of business. It is to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport that I am speaking; therefore, my next suggestion is a little far-fetched. The people in question run their own businesses. They might be good drivers and know the mechanics of a truck, but some of them are not the best at business - collecting money, dealing with taxation matters and book-keeping. The county enterprise boards, CEBs, and other bodies should help them to run their businesses. I have known young people who, despite wishing to start a business with one or two trucks, were not the best business people. They were good drivers and knew the roads and where to go, but they did not succeed because they did not have the requisite business skills. There is an opportunity to help such individuals, as every small operator is necessary if we are to keep the road haulage sector competitive.

Many young people are now expert drivers, but they need to be helped with the financing of trucks and assisted with the payment of VAT, as well as at the administrative end of the process. We must examine this issue in the future, as it is not right to see transport firms getting bigger and bigger. Those of us who travel the roads see them everyday, but we need smaller operators. We talk about protecting small businesses, but road hauliers are one of the greatest examples of firms which county enterprise boards could help using the Leader programmes.

One of the positive aspects in recent times has been the improved road network which has allowed for a massive increase in the movement of goods between cities, ports and towns across the country. We can all talk about the new roads built. The road on which I travel most is the Dublin-Cork road and there is no doubt the movement of trucks and goods between our two major cities is something of which the country can be proud. People are also proud of other roads. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport was under pressure recently because the money was not available for other transport projects in the pipeline, but there was no way around the problem. In this discussion we should consider some of the towns seeking bypasses. We should seek a cheaper way of facilitating traffic movement through these towns. A small amount of money spent to provide car parks, one-way street systems and for various traffic management measures could secure the movement of traffic throughout the country. I refer to a town such as Tipperary which is a major blockade on the route from Limerick and Waterford. From 4 p.m to 6 p.m every day there is traffic congestion; traffic tails back for one mile outside the town. It is an important tourism and business link and I constantly hear industrialists and those interested in investing in the region complain about traffic in the town. There is potential for the Department and local authorities to collaborate on an interim plan to help towns such as it. Other Deputies may mention other towns. Knowing the Minister's record, he will lend an ear to the local authorities with cost-effective plans that would benefit these towns. There is potential, but local authorities and the NRA must come forward with plans.

Road improvements have allowed significant growth in the road haulage industry and passenger transport operations. I have seen a substantial rise in the number of tour operators visiting places such as the Rock of Cashel and Cahir. If we are to overcome unemployment difficulties, tourism will make a major impact on all regions. As Ireland becomes more competitive, more tourists will travel here. We have a country of which we can be proud, with its good food and beautiful scenery; it has everything tourists want. There is great potential and we should not do anything to stop it being fulfilled.

This leads me to believe the regulations and legislation dealing with this industry have become increasingly important. I welcome the new emphasis on the role of transport managers who shall be responsible for continuously managing the transport activities of undertakings. Like all industries, the road haulage sector has faced a severe decline in activity. I commend the Bill to the House.

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