Written answers
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Department of Transport
Road Haulage Licences
11:00 pm
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of national and international road haulage licences applied for in each year since 2003; the number of such applications refused; the reasons given; the number of licences which have not been renewed for each such year; the reasons given; the number of cases referred to the gardaí for further checks; the outcome of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16698/09]
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The table below shows the total number of road haulage operator licences issued each year since 2003:
2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
619 | 701 | 1373 | 1243 | 1368 | 954 |
The current licensing regime is based on EU legislation on access to the market and the profession. In general, only those who know that they will meet the criteria for obtaining a licence apply for such a licence. If an application is incomplete or does not clearly show that an applicant meets all the criteria to obtain a licence, then the application is returned and no licence issues.
If the applicant cannot subsequently correct the problems and clarify the issues raised, the licence application is refused. Such an applicant may not re-apply unless they can meet the eligibility criteria.
A road haulage licence is valid for a five year period. It is not renewable on a yearly basis. There are several reasons as to why a licence might not be renewed including the death of the operator, changed circumstances, failure to satisfy the legislative requirements, the business may have ceased trading or may have been sold.
Failure to renew a licence after a five year period is followed up by the section and referred to the appropriate authorities for further investigation where necessary, but no statistics are available on the total number of cases involved.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has ever received complaints from inside or outside the State in relation to persons holding road haulage licences who had convictions; the number of such complaints received; the action taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16699/09]
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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A number of complaints have been received in the Road Transport Operator Licensing Unit of my Department. These complaints come from a variety of sources, including the Road Safety Authority and the Revenue Commissioners. However, it is not possible to indicate the exact number of complaints as this would involve an inspection of a substantial number of files over a number of years.
Some of the complaints received relate to licensed hauliers who may have a conviction, for example, in relation to green diesel offences.
Each complaint received is investigated by the section and enquires made with the appropriate authorities to check if the licence holder continues to comply with all the licensing requirements, including good repute, financial standing, professional competence, and vehicle documentation.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of persons prosecuted for not having a valid national or international road haulage licence for each year since 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16700/09]
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The enforcement of road transport operator licensing legislation and any prosecutions arising for non compliance with the legislative requirements is a matter for the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána.
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