Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

There are many important items of legislation which come before the House and which relate to areas such as health, education, the environment and justice. However, legislation on road safety relates to all citizens, namely, pedestrians, drivers, passengers and everyone who uses the road network. The Bill deals with many matters pertaining to the roadworthiness of commercial vehicles. It is worth noting the road safety statistics for accidents on the roads involving commercial and heavy goods vehicles. In 2007, 32 people were killed in road accidents in which heavy goods vehicles were involved. This was reduced to 17 in 2010, a welcome reduction. A major factor in this reduction was the improvement in the main road and motorway network. The average number of road deaths per month in 2011 was 16. In 2012 the average is 13 to the end of February. The numbers of fatalities on the roads have fallen in recent years, with the lowest annual figure achieved in 2011 at 186. However, it must be noted Road Safety Authority, RSA, statistics tell us that there were over 700 accidents in 2010 involving heavy goods vehicles outside built-up areas and over 500 within built-up areas. In essence, a lot more needs to be done to address this issue which the Minister is doing with this Bill.

It is worth noting the major improvements in the motorway network in the past eight years, one of only a few positive legacies from the Celtic tiger. To be fair, we have seen a significant decline in the number of road deaths parallel to this road network upgrade. Accordingly, I must compliment the last two Governments on undertaking this work. It was a pity, however, that we in Sligo were not connected by motorway to Dublin in the same way as were Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny, Dundalk, Drogheda, Belfast, Athlone and Mullingar.

I want to highlight how important road improvements are in road safety. The section of the N4 between Boyle and Sligo, in particular at Castlebaldwin, has been an accident black spot, at which there have been numerous deaths and injuries simply because this section of the road cannot deal with the volume of traffic using it, particularly the number of heavy goods and commercial vehicles which use it. Over 65% of accidents on this stretch involve commercial vehicles which is proof, if proof was required, that road improvements and motorway structures automatically decrease the chance of road accidents and fatalities occurring. I am taking the opportunity to impress this point on the Minister. I am aware that the capital budget for road improvements and building is virtually nil. However, the level of domestic growth in the economy is almost nil and unless we improve access to the regions, especially in the northern half of the country, it will remain stagnant. Tourism, industry and manufacturing depend on a good road network alongside a major improvement in road safety. Will my Government colleagues consider this argument should we consider a stimulus package in the future provided by the European Union?

The Bill proposes to nominate the RSA as the main testing organisation for vehicle roadworthiness taking this function away from local authorities. This is to be welcomed as allowing the RSA, an organisation specifically with a remit in road safety, to take charge of this issue makes real sense in order to have one national body with a defined function. The old system was inconsistent, provided for no roadside inspections and had no national database. Overall responsibility for commercial road testing will remain with the Minister, although he can confer powers, except the power to make regulations assigned to him in the Bill, to the RSA, in which case those power can be exercised by either him or the RSA.

The Bill provides that the testing of commercial vehicles will be done through a network of commercial vehicle roadworthiness, CVR, test operators authorised to operate test centres, carry out tests and issue pass certificates. Vehicles which have received pass statements will be issued with certificates of roadworthiness. Commercial vehicles cannot be used in public places without such certificates.

CVR testers, as licensed by the Minister, must have no previous criminal convictions. This will ensure we will have the correct people as testers without a shadowy background. In short, they must have the proper premises, equipment, background and qualifications before they can be authorised. It is welcome that authorised officers will also be able to enter and inspect CVR vehicles on the premises and observe and supervise vehicle testing in progress. Furthermore, authorised inspectors will also be able to inspect and remove documentation related to the maintenance and testing of vehicles. The powers of authorised officers are not limited and will vary.

Roadside inspections will be carried out by CVR inspectors who are defined as inspectors appointed under section 34 or a member of An Garda Síochána. Vehicles and other items may also be inspected. A CVR inspector who is accompanied by a garda or who is a garda can stop a vehicle for inspection. The vehicle can be detained for a reasonable period. Once it has been stopped by a garda, the CVR officer has the specific power to drive a vehicle, look for relevant information and seek the appropriate certificate. Failure to comply can in cases allow the inspector to impound the defective vehicle.

All of these measures and many more contained in the Bill will ensure an improvement in the commercial and heavy goods vehicles on the roads that will contribute to a more reputable industry and reduce the number of road accidents. The road haulage and transport business is in one of the most difficult positions in the domestic economy. As fuel prices are rising, charges will have to go up. Rogue transport operators, with poor vehicles in some cases, undercut many of the reputable transport companies which spend money on regular servicing and essential safety maintenance. These reputable operators will now find their position enhanced because of this legislation. I expect the aforementioned CVR inspectors to target the dodgy transport providers.

I welcome the Bill's proposal to allow the RSA to become the agency responsible for the issuing of driving licences. Currently, 29 local authorities under the overall authority of the Department are in charge of the licensing system. Next year will see the welcome introduction of a plastic chip-type card which will become the norm for licences. The benefits will be that it will reduce fraud and harmonise the licensing system across Europe. Drivers required to produce their licence to European police forces will be more responsible for their actions abroad, which will improve intercountry security in the European Union. This system has been in place in the United States for many years and ensures vital data can be read from cards in order that police officers can assess motorists on the spot. Such a system would be welcome in Ireland. I welcome the idea of a having centralised model for driving licences. This move will offer greater efficiencies in the overall delivery of the service and fit well with the Government's public service reform agenda. It will provide all motorists with a better service.

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