Written answers

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Haulage Industry Regulation

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the very genuine concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38152/12]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The licensing of operators for the carriage of goods for hire and reward using heavy goods vehicles is provided for in the Road Transport Acts and EU legislation.  The licensing of operators engaged in the carriage of their own goods is the exception across the EU.  I am aware that it is the case in Great Britain and more recently in Northern Ireland with the enactment of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act (Northern Ireland) 2010.

The licensing of such operators is one of a number of issues that will be looked at in the context of the planned review of the Road Transport Acts, to determine if a change of policy is needed.

The Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012 has already been enacted.  As regards effective enforcement, one of its key components is the establishment of a new risk rating system for the purpose of the effective and targeted enforcement in respect of standards of roadworthiness, tachographs and driver’s hours rules. It is proposed that operators with higher ratings will be checked more closely and more often than those with lower ratings.  Priorities for my Department and the Road Safety Authority in relation to the Act in question are to finalise the necessary secondary legislation to give effect to the various provisions contained in the Act and to implement the various components of a commercial vehicle reform programme as quickly as possible so as to improve the roadworthiness condition of commercial vehicles on our roads and road safety.

Question No. 1915 answered with Question No. 1903.

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