ADR, the EU agreement of the carriage of dangerous goods by road, is an important instrument for public safety which we take very seriously, as do the Government and the Minister. Public safety is a key issue. Because of the increased volume of such traffic, there has been an increase in the danger to the public. It is important, therefore, that standards are laid down by the European Union. Training in these standards is provided for drivers, with certification and examination. Training is provided by the private sector in close co-operation with the Department. Examination and certification are carried out by the Department in conjunction with the Health and Safety Authority. There should be strict enforcement and heavy sanction for any breach of the regulations because of the nature of the products being transported. Approximately 200 drivers per month go through the training scheme, two thirds of whom are first-time certificate holders. They cannot drive without that certification. The problem to which I refer arises because of a switchover from the Department of Public Enterprise to the Health and Safety Authority of the examination and certification mechanism. I agree that this function rightly should be placed within the ambit of the HSA. I have no difficulty with that, but the problem arises because departmental officials, who are currently handling the examinations, say they will not be in a position to have such examinations during March because they will be putting their records in order to hand over to the HSA. While they will allow renewal testing for people whose certificates expire during that period, none of the new applicants will be tested.
To make matters worse, the HSA says it will not be able to start the new scheme for a month after it has taken over from the Department. Therefore, there will be a two month period without any examination or certification and about 300 drivers will be affected. Their livelihoods will be affected because without the certification they cannot obtain insurance. From 1 April, they and their employers will be subject to fines of €190.
In the interim, the Minister should put whatever resources are required into that section to ensure that during the handover period in March and April the examinations can continue. Having considered this matter in some detail, I am convinced the reason the examinations are not going ahead is to suit civil servants while ignoring the needs of the industry they are there to serve. As a practical, pragmatic politician and a good manager of his Department, the Minister should intervene directly and tell the civil servants to keep the examinations in place while they are handing over the records. It should not be difficult to do so. I hope the Minister will not read out a script and that he will respond to my point.