asked the Minister for Communications if he will make a statement on the future of the licensed haulage industry, to relieve the uncertainty that now overshadows this industry.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Licensed Haulage Industry.
6.
The Road Transport Bill, 1985, which was passed by Seanad Éireann on 3 July 1985, and which I expect will be taken in this House during the current session, contains the proposals for the future of the road haulage industry. The Bill provides for the liberalisation of the industry in two phases over two years thus completing a process initiated under the Road Transport Act, 1971.
In the first phase carriers' licences, unrestricted as to the area of operation, the type of goods to be carried and the number of vehicles to be operated, will be granted on application to existing licensees and to operators in the exempted areas who hold current road freight certificates. Two years after the introduction of the first phase similar licences will be granted to all applicants who satisfy the EC requirements on access to the profession of road haulage operator, namely, good repute, sound financial standing and professional competence.
Does the Minister not appreciate that the delay since this Bill was in the Seanad has led to frightful uncertainty and a limbo-like situation which has stifled investment and left those in the haulage industry in grave doubt as to their future? Does he appreciate that unless there is a very stringent entrance examination or procedure covering new entrants to the business, liberalisation could well lead to a free-for-all and attract "cowboys", leading to even greater chaos in the industry than exists at present?
I am very anxious to proceed with this legislation and I have had many representations about it from people in the industry. One of the concerns of the legal road haulage industry has been the question of enforcement. I have been examining that whole question to see if we could get some sort of cohesion into the enforcement area. The Deputy might be surprised to know the number of different agencies which have responsibility for different aspects of enforcement. There are the Garda and the Revenue Commissioners in relation to diesel offences. The Department of Industry and Commerce and the Department of the Environment are concerned with road insurance. The instance, the fitness of vehicles, markings etc. and, of course, tax and driving licences. The Department of Labour are concerned with dangerous substances and my Department are involved with tachographs. There is very little enforcement for any of those agencies. I feel there is a very strong case for some sort of multipurpose inspectorate or agency to coordinate those matters and enforce them. I do not consider this only in relation to the road haulage industry but also the road passenger industry.
Would the Minister not agree that no matter what reasons the Minister gives, and the difficulties that arise, the delay in the whole industry has led to frightful uncertainty? I am sure last week the Minister experienced something in relation to the Cabinet, his own position and everybody else's position so he should have a greater appreciation. Can the Minister tell us if the legislation will be introduced and passed in this session?
I make Deputy Power an offer. If we can get agreement between the Whips the Road Transport Bill will be in the Dáil next week. I have been asking our Chief Whip for many weeks to try to get it on to the Order Paper, but there is a huge legislative programme as the Deputy knows. I hope his intervention will help me to get it on to the Order Paper of the Dáil for next week. It has been through the Seanad as the Deputy knows.
Would the Minister agree that as well as enforcement, which I agree with him is of paramount importance, the hauliers are also particularly worried about owner account transport and the impact over-liberalisation in that area might have on the professional licensed legal hauliers?
I know the Irish Road Haulage Association have apprehensions about the legislation but they are almost the only interest group who have. Business in general is very much in favour of the liberalisation of road haulage. Moreover, and I have said this to the Irish Road Haulage Association on several occasions, I consider their apprehensions are misplaced. All previous steps towards liberalisation have been of help to the legal road haulage industry. I believe this final step will be of great help to the legal road haulage industry.