Vol. 365 No. 11
I move:
That it is expedient to make provision for the charging of fees by the Minister for Communications in respect of licences provided for under, or referred to in, any Act of the present session to amend and extend the Road Transport Act, 1933, and to provide for other matters connected with the matters aforesaid.
This resolution is required under Standing Orders because the Bill contains provision for the charging of fees for licences.
We are in general agreement with the motion. However, it is a pity there is no indication given to the House of the scale of fees the Minister has in mind. That is a question that is exercising the minds of the existing hauliers, some of whom are afraid there may be exorbitant demands in respect of fees.
At the moment the fee is £20 but it is provided by law, and also in this Bill, that fees will be set from time to time by regulation. While the fee is £20 now, the Minister of the day will be empowered to bring regulations before the House for the purpose of increasing or otherwise adjusting the fees.
Will the regulation be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas? If this House considers the charges are exorbitant, is there in the Bill as drafted or in the amendments the possibility of reducing them by a vote of the House?
As I understnd it, there are a number of delegated powers given by legislation. This one is the normal power of regulation which, as far as I know, is laid before the House but is not the subject of a motion.
Therefore all we can do is to create a row.
The Deputy seems to be pessimistic about his own chances of returning to this Department. It may be that some time in the future I shall be the person kicking up a row.
