asked the Minister for Transport if he will issue extra road haulage licences in rural areas particularly where CIE are not providing an adequate service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Haulage Licences.
2.
Under section 115 of the Transport Act, 1944 I may consider the grant of new merchandise licences only where I am satisfied that an inadequacy of road freight transport facilities exists. I am not satisfied that such inadequacy exists at present in rural areas. The Road Transport Act, 1978, exempted from licensing control the carriage of goods in small vehicles, that is, vehicles which do not exceed 2.5 metric tons unladen weight. This exemption was specifically provided to cater for the needs of local rural transport.
I should mention, however, that I have asked the Transport Consultative Commission to examine the structure of the road freight haulage industry and to consider the adequacy, cost and efficiency of the services provided for domestic and international road haulage. When I receive the commission's report, I will then decide what further measures need to be taken.
When does the Minister expect to receive the commission's report?
I have just announced today the additional members to the Transport Consultative Commission. They will be proceeding with their investigations into the road haulage industry.
Are we talking about a period of three months?
I cannot put a time scale on it. However, in view of the time taken by the same commission to report on the Dublin Transport Authority, I expect that this report will be equally quickly produced.
The Minister stated that in certain circumstances he would issue hauliers' licences if it is proved to him in the meantime that CIE are not operating a satisfactory service. Could private owner-hauliers now be issued with a licence?
I shall certainly consider any application on its merits, but would remind the Deputy that the liberalisation which took place under the 1978 Act with the extension of hauliers' licences to expand, if they have one licence, up to six licences and the fact that those with small unladened weight for small areas have now been exempted does cater, by and large, for the rural areas. I shall consider every application on its merits.
Would the Minister accept——
Would the Deputy confine himself to the point in question?
Does the Minister accept that the 1978 legislation merely gave the same haulier the right to haul with six lorries? What we are looking for now is the right for other people to use their lorries on proper road haulage.
I would remind the Deputy that the small lorries which do provide a good service in rural areas are exempt. If there is any specific area where there is an inadequate service, I shall consider an application on its merit.