Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 679: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his view on the impact cabotage enforcement is having on Irish hauliers operating in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16716/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Provisions in relation to road haulage cabotage are set out in EU Regulations 1072 of 2009, which came into effect on 14 May 2010. Cabotage relates to the carriage for hire or reward within a host Member State carried out on a temporary basis by a non-resident operator. The EU Regulations define the specific limitations of cabotage. These are in effect that once goods carried on the course of an incoming international carriage have been delivered, the haulier may with the same vehicle carry out up to 3 cabotage operations within 7 days.

The enforcement of the cabotage provisions is a matter for the authorities in each Member State. Naturally, hauliers in each Member State and those operating across Community borders must comply with all relevant regulations, and such regulations set a common business framework for all EU hauliers. I have discussed cabotage with my UK counterpart Minister Penning recently, as an issue of common interest.

I can appreciate that the EU Regulations, by introducing a change to previous cabotage provisions which were less prescriptive, have changed the opportunities for cabotage. I note however, in its White Paper on Road Transport 2011 to 2020, that the European Commission intends to review current provisions on cabotage. potentially in the latter half of 2013. I support the idea of an open market for haulage operations and would hope that cabotage can be further liberalised. However, I should say that not all Member States are currently of the same view.