Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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851. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23673/16]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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The European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (known as ADR) is given legal effect in Ireland by the European Communities (Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment) Regulations 2011 to 2015. Under the terms of the European Agreement, drivers of vehicles with tanks and certain tank components, and some drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous goods in packages, must hold a special vocational certificate of training, commonly described as an ADR driver training certificate.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA), an agency under my Department, is the competent authority in Ireland for the administration and enforcement of all ADR hazard classes, apart from Class I (explosives) and Class 7 (radioactive substances). The ADR Regulations require the national competent authority to provide a training and examination regime for dangerous goods drivers. This training and examination regime is currently administered under a HSA contract, by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Ireland (CILT), a non-profit professional examination body.

I note the Deputy’s concern that apparent changes in the standard of the ADR driver training examination may have made it more difficult for drivers to acquire an ADR Driver Training Certificate. I am informed that no significant change has been made to the exam system that would affect individual performance in these exams, other than to introduce questions in line with adaptations to the ADR legislative regime affecting the mandatory training that has to be completed prior to sitting an exam. The examination is rigorously monitored by CILT, in conjunction with the HSA, to ensure that it is robust and fit for purpose. Individual exam questions are reviewed prior to introduction into the exam by subject matter experts and monitored in terms of candidate performance per exam by CILT.

I understand that pass rates have been consistent over the duration of the exams since they were first administered by CILT in 2006. Pass rates are in the region of 80%, which means that some candidates do not pass on the first attempt. These candidates are allowed to re-sit an exam, should they choose to do so, and they must repeat the training before presenting at the exam once again.

The details supplied suggest that heretofore exam questions were specific to the dangerous substances being carried by a particular driver and that consequently the type of questions being asked in the current exam make it more difficult for drivers to acquire an ADR Driver Training Certificate.

I am informed that Irish exam system processes approximately 2000 drivers every year, all of whom sit the Basic exam, which covers all hazards with the exception of classes 1 and 7 (explosives and radioactive substances). In addition, a specialisation exam is available to be taken by those who are road tanker drivers, or very occasionally by drivers who require specialisation in explosives or radioactive substances. The overall exam pass rate has remained consistent at approximately 80%, with no evidence to suggest the exam is more difficult than at any other time.

Prior to 2013, the exam regime allowed for an exam specific to Class 3 flammable liquids. While not specific to these substances, the exam had originally been provided to cater to the needs of the petroleum industry. However, the HSA, in conjunction with CILT, decided in 2013 to cease to offer the Class 3 flammable liquids exam following a steady reduction in take-up of this exam option by drivers in the fuel industry carrying diesel, kerosene and petrol. Most drivers were already opting to sit the full Basic exam, as it offered greater flexibility in seeking alternative employment opportunities at a time when many drivers in the fuel sector were being made redundant.

I am informed that exam questions in the original class specific exam were never confined to flammable liquid hazards alone, as this category of dangerous goods can also result in secondary hazards with toxic, corrosive, and environmentally hazardous characteristics, etc. The training and the exam questions associated with the previous class specific exam was therefore very similar to the content of the current Basic exam for an “all class” certificate. I am informed that at no stage have questions on explosives or radioactive substances been asked in either the Class 3 exam or the Basic exam.

Finally, the Deputy inquired about differences between the exam regime operating in Ireland and the position in other jurisdictions, notably the UK. Under the terms of the European Agreement, the different national competent authorities can specify the content for a Basic exam, which can focus on specific classes or even specific substances. This results in considerable variation in what is provided across the different jurisdictions. In Ireland an “all class” exam, together with specialisation exams for road tankers, explosives and radioactive substances, in line with the ADR standard, have proven to be the most cost-efficient and well-supported options.

I understand that the Health and Safety Authority, as the national competent authority, remains open to any requests from industry stakeholders to cater for a specific ADR class or substance – as had applied prior to 2013 in the case of the Class 3 exam. Representations by the fertiliser industry also led, for instance, to the introduction for a limited period of a Class 5.1 exam, but that class specific exam was short lived as the overall level of demand was low. No request has been forthcoming from a petroleum representative body for the development of a separate training course leading to the re-introduction of a separate Class 3 flammable liquids examination.