asked the Minister for Local Government when he proposes to make regulations prescribing penalties for breaches of EEC Regulation 543/69 concerning the qualifications of drivers of heavy goods and larger passenger vehicles; and if he will give details of the Commission's opinion on this matter given on 16th May, 1974.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Heavy Vehicle Traffic.
34.
I am not yet in a position to say when regulations will be made to implement this EEC regulation here. The EEC regulation concerns the Minister for Labour as well as the Minister for Local Government and, at the wish of the Commission, a single set of regulations is in preparation in place of the separate draft regulations referred to in my reply to the Deputy on 2nd July, 1974.
In relation to the qualifications of drivers, the Commission's opinion was as follows:
1. The maximum level of penalty proposed should be higher, in line with other member states.
2. The suspension of the transport permit should be considered for serious breaches of the regulations.
3. The suspension of the driving licence should be included in the penalties if not provided for in existing legislation.
4. International transport operations should be treated as beginning at the point of departure.
It sounds rather contradictory.