asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the concern expressed by the Irish Road Haulage Association about the lack of law enforcement regarding the use of unlicensed trucks, the overloading of trucks, the use of rebated diesel, the use of untaxed and uninsured trucks etc.; if he will take steps to deal with these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Irish Road Haulage Association.
624.
Limerick East): I am aware of the views expressed by the Irish Road Haulage Association in relation to the enforcement of provisions of road traffic legislation relevant to the road haulage industry. Meetings have taken place both with the Garda authorities and with officials of my Department over the years in relation to enforcement and in fact as recently as Wednesday last I met a deputation from the association at which they put their views to me.
I cannot accept that the picture painted by the association in relation to enforcement fairly reflects the attention paid to this matter by the Garda Síochána. In 1983 proceedings were taken for breaches of the Road Transport Acts in 1,457 cases, about 75 per cent of which related to the road haulage industry. In addition, the level of prosecutions for breaches of road traffic legislation, including untaxed and uninsured vehicles, is high.
When I met the association last week I assured them that the Garda authorities were giving this matter as much attention as possible having regard to the many other demands on the force at the present time and that every effort would be made to effect an improvement in the position as far as possible.