Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael)

It is the Port of Waterford but it is in County Kilkenny. The port is a fantastic employer in the area and its location as the closest multi-modal port to continental Europe means it is of key strategic importance. The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, is no doubt familiar with Waterford as he has many relations in the area. Perhaps on another occasion he will speak to the Seanad about the ports and what plans he has for their future.

While commercially we associate the ports with economic success, there is another side to the story too. Unfortunately, commercial vehicles can often be used by drug smugglers and human traffickers. Perhaps the Minister could outline to the House what co-ordination exists between his Department and other relevant Departments in this context, including the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Finance. Addressing smuggling issues requires strong interdepartmental co-ordination. This country is often referred to as a soft touch in terms of the ease with which drugs and, sadly, vulnerable people can be smuggled in, which is an issue that requires urgent attention.

To return to the Bill, I strongly welcome the improvements that it will introduce to the commercial road transport sector. The Minister has singled out three key improvements, namely, the strengthening of the existing provisions regarding the fitness and suitability of operators to engage in the profession, the provision of greater access to information in order that the public can find out who is licensed, and the imposition of much greater penalties on unlicensed operators and the provision for new offences aimed at improving compliance by existing operators. These provisions are clearly underpinned by a desire to protect public safety by introducing greater professionalism and transparency to the sector.

The reason we are dealing with this Bill in an expedited manner is to ensure that certain existing provisions remain in force after 4 December, in particular, that road passenger transport operations must be licensed, that operating without a licence will be an offence, that fees can be charged for passenger transport licences, that the appeal provisions where an application for a road passenger transport licence is refused or where such a licence is withdrawn will continue to apply, and that exemptions from the requirement to have a road transport operator licence will continue to apply. These include the carriage of mail and funeral transport. The Minister has indicated that he intends to introduce a consolidated road transport Bill in the near future. That would be an excellent initiative which would prevent the need for him to introduce legislation to keep existing measures in place, such as is the case with the Bill before the House.

I welcome the Minister's announcement, which has nothing to do with the Bill, that he is to introduce roadside drug testing for motorists in order to clamp down on drug driving. When the legislation comes before this House and the Lower House it will receive unanimous support. I congratulate the Minister on the matter.

I also congratulate him on introducing the Bill today. He has been before this House on a frequent basis since assuming office, which is an indication of his dedication to his brief and his high work rate. I wish him continued success and I look forward to continuing to work with him in the future in my capacity as Fine Gael spokesperson on transport in this House.