asked the Minister for Transport and Power his plans for the liberalisation of road haulage in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Haulage Liberalisation.
32.
Road freight haulage cannot be liberalised without a change in legislation. I hope to introduce amending legislation later in the year. Proposals for a Bill are at present under consideration but I am not yet in a position to announce what will finally be proposed.
Would the Minister agree in the meantime to extend the antiquated 15 mile limit incorporated in the present legislation restricting haulage to within a limit of 15 miles of O'Connell Street for unlicensed hauliers in view of the diversification of industry throughout County Dublin?
Even if I agreed I could not do it. It would require legislation in this House to do it.
In the legislation which is to come before the House does the Minister intend to make provision for use of unlicensed trucks for the export market as distinct from the internal market?
I do not think that it has ever been the practice to disclose in advance the contents of proposed legislation.
It will definitely be introduced before the end of the year?
I hope so.
Without trying to anticipate legislation, could the Minister let us know the direction in which he is thinking regarding this liberalisation? Does he favour the use of private vehicles for merchandise freight in future or does he visualise the issue of more merchandise licences?
I think the Deputy should await the legislation which I shall have introduced as quickly as possible.
In the case of licences which were amalgamated in the past so that they could have the higher tonnage necessary to make the transport system available would the Minister not permit them to be separated since he has allowed single licences to increase the tonnage which they can carry separately?
While I would be very anxious to do that, I do not think I should do it without having the advice of my Department as to what the effect of that would be.
The Minister will be aware of the anomalies arising where persons took advantage of the amalgamation and later found themselves at a disadvantage because the single licences could have been increased in tonnage?
I shall write to the Deputy. I do not think he would want me to answer that now.
If I gave the Minister a specific case to work on, would he use it as an example?
I shall see what I can do about it.