Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the amendments the merits of which have been articulated very well by Deputy Sean Fleming when speaking on the issues of agricultural contractors transporting either foodstuffs or livestock and businesses hauling their own goods. These groups should not be left at a competitive disadvantage. They have to meet certain licensing requirements relating to the transportation of foodstuffs and livestock set by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Therefore, it should be fairly easy to ensure they are not exploited. It is a fact that fewer businesses are hauling their own goods and many of them are sub-contracting out this work. We should not be encouraging businesses to lay off drivers.

It is a pointless exercise applying for a licence, even if it is feasible to do so, which it may not be, and which they do not require. I do not know how such an application would be dealt with by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, but we should not encourage people to go down that road. A very limited number of individuals are in these categories. Businesses in both categories are struggling, in particular, those involved in supplying the agricultural community. The CAP proposals and the proposals for a reduction in funding currently on the table will make matters far worse. A reduction in funding to farmers would have a direct impact on those supplying services to farmers.

Businesses hauling their own goods will be left with two legal choices, either to attempt to struggle on at a financial disadvantage compared to competing businesses which have sub-contracted out this work or else to lay off their drivers and incur the financial burden of redundancy payments to staff who would probably be recruited by the sub-contractor or set up as self-employed hauliers to haul the same goods. Many companies struggling to keep their heads above water will be faced with a significant financial burden. Cashflow difficulties are common. The amendments are, therefore, commendable and I hope the Minister of State can accept them.

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