Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties under which haulage companies are now operating as a result of changes to the cabotage regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28591/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Changes to the cabotage entitlements of all haulage operators in the EU were introduced on 14 May 2010, as part of a package of measures adopted in December 2009. Previously, cabotage was permitted on a "temporary basis", but the meaning of "temporary" was never legally defined, leading to different interpretations across Member States.

EU legislation now clarifies that every operator is entitled to carry out three cabotage operations in a foreign Member State, within a seven-day period after they finish an inward loaded journey. This new rule applies equally to non-Irish operators carrying goods in Ireland, as well as to Irish operators abroad. The change in cabotage does not affect in any way an Irish operator's entitlement to carry goods between Member States – international journeys of vehicles carrying goods remain fully liberalised. Furthermore, cabotage accounts for approximately 1% of all freight transport by road in the EU, and about the same percentage of freight carried in Ireland.

My Department has informed all Irish international haulage operators about the new rules, at the end of 2009 and again in April this year. In addition, my Department is examining whether some current practices, which developed under the previous interpretation, remain permissible under the new rule. I understand too that affected Irish hauliers are reviewing their own transport arrangements to comply with the change.

Because a number of Irish hauliers operating to the UK in particular may be affected my Department has been in contact already with their UK counterparts and with the European Commission to establish a common understanding of how the rule change will affect work practices currently undertaken by hauliers generally as well as how it will be enforced. The overall objective is to ensure that hauliers will know exactly what arrangements fall within the new rules and which do not, so that operators can plan their operations to the utmost economic efficiency. My Department will be in touch again with affected Irish hauliers following the discussions with the UK and the European Commission.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 55 of 23 June 2010, if he will provide a breakdown by car marque and vehicle repairs and faults of the 163,495 car registration details provided by the national vehicle driver file to manufacturers and distributors in the period 1 June 2009 to 31 May 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28637/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is compiling the information requested. I will forward the information requested to the Deputy shortly.