(Dublin North-West) asked the Minister for Communications his proposals for common rules for international transport in the EC and for measures ensuring the freedom of national carriers to offer their services in other member states.
Written Answers. - Road Freight Transport.
16.
I understand that the question is intended to relate to the particular area of road freight transport. I should explain that under Article 75 of the Treaty of Rome, it is the function of the EC Commission to make proposals in relation to the matters referred to in the question. Adoption of such proposals, either as submitted or in amended form, is a matter for the Council, after completion of the necessary consultations with the Economic and Social Committee and the European Parliament.
Various common rules have already been adopted in the field of international road freight transport covering, inter alia, authorisations permitting road haulage between the various member states, weights and dimensions of certain categories of vehicles, drivers' hours and admission to the profession of road haulage operator. Major progress was achieved during the Irish Presidency in 1984.
The Council of Transport Ministers at its meeting on 14 November 1985 agreed on a policy approach aimed at creating a free market in transport without quantitative restrictions by 1992 at the latest; increases in the quotas of transport authorisations during the transitional period; and the elimination of distortion of competition. Detailed proposals will need to be brought forward by the Commission with a view to achievement of these targets. Ireland favours the removal of quantitative restrictions on international road haulage between member states, subject to qualitative controls.
As regards the question of operations totally within a member state by nonresident carriers, article 75 of the Rome Treaty requires that conditions be laid down under which such operations may be carried out. Proposals recently submitted by the Commission in this regard are being examined at working group level and it is as yet too early to say what the outcome of this examination may be.