Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1993

Vol. 425 No. 7

Written Answers. - Haulage and Carriers Licences.

Bernard Allen

Question:

406 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will give the reason for the delays in issuing a carrier's licence to applicants in view of the fact that applications which were submitted in April 1992 were not granted up to the end of October; and her views on whether this situation is acceptable.

Phil Hogan

Question:

412 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the enormous difficulties that are being encountered by applicants for haulage licences; if he will make efforts to speed up the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 406 and 412 together.

The timescale involved in processing applications for road freight carrier's licences for hauliers depends largely on whether or not the applicant has fully and correctly completed the application.

Under the European Communities (Merchandise Road Transport) Regulations, 1991, applicants must satisfy the three main requirements of financial standing, good repute and professional competence.

Where complete applications are received, the Department is generally in a position to issue licences within a period of three weeks of receipt. Where incomplete applications are received, these are immediately returned to the applicants for rectification. As a result the time it takes individual applicants to re-submit applications varies considerably from case to case.

The system of application places the onus on the applicant to present initially to the Department a complete application, containing all the information and documentation required to assess and process the application. The system is kept under constant review, with a view to minimising difficulties encountered by applicants.