Vol. 447 No. 2
113 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the average waiting period for processing properly completed application forms for carrier licences; if there are areas that could be improved to help expedite the present process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3531/94]
I am glad to be able to confirm that arising out of a significant rationalising of procedures within my Department over the past 18 months the average waiting period for processing properly completed application forms for a carrier's licence is down to two weeks. In order to expedite the processing procedure for such licences I also recently rationalised the fee structure which resulted in the abolition of several small individual fee payments and introduced instead a lesser number of composite payments.
Preparations are at an advanced stage regarding the finalisation of simpler and more user friendly application forms which it is hoped will be in place by the end of the year. The transport industry has welcomed the changes to date and is anticipating the imminent arrival of the new licence application form. My Department will continue to evaluate and review its service to the transport industry and introduce further improvements in this area where possible.
