asked the Minister for Communications the steps he intends to take to protect Irish hauliers in the UK from discrimination; and if there is any new regulation which compels a holder of an Irish driving licence to take out in addition a Six-County licence.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Hauliers in UK.
28.
I have no reports of discrimination against Irish hauliers in the United Kingdom. If the Deputy is aware of any such discrimination perhaps he would get in touch with me in the matter.
In regard to the query in relation to driving licences, I have been advised by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, that he is not aware of any regulation of the nature mentioned by the Deputy.
Is the Minister aware that the Irish Road Haulage Association are worried about discrimination against our drivers in Britain and record that a driver was pulled in near Bristol, held for 48 hours, handcuffed and taken to prison and that his wedding ring, wrist watch and so forth were taken from him. They have been trying to develop a chain of legal aid right through Britain and have been making contact with their British counterparts in the British Road Haulage Association with regard to the protection of our drivers.
I repeat what I said in my reply. I am not aware of any discrimination against Irish drivers in the UK. I have had no complaint, nor has the Minister for the Environment. If the Deputy has information on this I will be glad to have it, and I can assure him that it will be very quickly considered.
Would the Minister look at a particular case of a driver from the Republic of Ireland who has been asked for a Six County licence when operating in the Six Counties? His job depends on being allowed to drive in the Six Counties. A specific case indicates that the authorities are demanding a licence from him separate from the one he holds here, and that court and other costs might amount to £700 or £800, according to the story he told me, if he had to go through what they want to put him through in the Six Counties.
I should be glad to get that information from the Deputy. I will then have the matter investigated quickly.