Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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540. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding haulage licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7021/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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One of the criteria to hold a road transport operator’s licence is that the operator must satisfy the requirement of financial standing.  Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 sets out the conditions relating to the requirement of financial standing. It states that “in order to satisfy this requirement an undertaking shall at all times be able to meet its financial obligations in the course of the annual accounting year.  To this end, the undertaking shall demonstrate, on the basis of annual accounts certified by an auditor or duly accredited person, that, every year it has at its disposal capital and reserves totalling at least €9,000 when only one vehicle is used and €5,000 for each additional vehicle used.”

My Department carried out a review of the policy in relation to financial standing in 2014, which resulted in an updating of the road transport operator guidelines in July 2014. The legislation requires that the annual accounts of the undertaking be certifiedby an auditor or duly accredited person. During the review my officials contacted Accounting Technicians Ireland and they indicated that while their members can prepare annual accounts they do not have the authority to certifyannual accounts.  It appears that the individual (details supplied) is a member of this body. My officials also sought the advice of the Irish Auditing and Accountancy Supervisory Authority (IAASA) who specified the persons that can certify accounts and also confirmed that members of Accounting Technicians Ireland cannot certify accounts. The rules governing who can certify annual accounts are not within the remit of my Department.