Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Transport the funding allocated and drawn down to date on preparing for the full implementation of Directive 2003/59/EC; and the measures on which this funding has been spent. [23242/06]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Transport the training centres he has approved to allow for the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of large vehicles in compliance with Annex I of Directive 2003/59/EC; the criteria he is applying in assessing the respective standards of driver instructors, taught material, centre facilities, training vehicles and so on; the locations where this criteria is published; and the number of written applications he has received from prospective training providers. [23243/06]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Transport the changes he has made to the physical characteristic of the driver qualification card to meet the requirements of Annex II of Directive 2003/59/EC. [23244/06]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Transport the options offered in Directive 2003/59/EC which he intends pursuing in terms of training and testing of drivers of large vehicles. [23245/06]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 to 47, inclusive, together.

Directive 2003/59/EC will make it a requirement for professional drivers to undertake a basic professional training course and continuous professional development. The Road Safety Authority Act 2006 confers responsibility for relevant elements of implementation of this directive to the new Road Safety Authority. The Authority will engage with industry stakeholders regarding full implementation of Directive 2003/59/EC.

The Directive provides that Member States should affix the harmonised Community code to the driver licence or the new driver qualification card. No decision has been made in this regard. To date, no funding has been allocated nor drawn down in the implementation of the Directive.