Vol. 482 No. 6
132 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has satisfied herself with the level of enforcement of all statutory regulations regarding the road haulage sector; the proposals, if any, the Government has to establish or appoint a dedicated unit to eradicate illegal haulage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18582/97]
166 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will continue the practice of regular intensive examination of tachographs on a nationwide basis to ensure compliance with the safety legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19036/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 166 together.
My Department's inspectorate of nine transport officers are engaged full time on the detection and prosecution of breaches of the tachograph regulations and other offences under the Road Transport Acts. I am satisfied with the high level of enforcement activities, given the resources available. In addition to my inspectorate, the Garda has responsibility for enforcing the statutory regulations regarding the road haulage sector.
I am aware of the effectiveness of intensive nationwide roadside checks as an enforcement measure and these will continue in the future. I assure the Deputy that where contraventions of the regulations are detected, prosecutions are initiated.
Over the past few months, my Department has intensified its activities and has become involved in cross-Border checkpoint operations with its counterparts in the Department of the Environment, Northern Ireland.
asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the steps, if any, she has taken to resolve the dispute between road hauliers, freight operators and others which resulted in the closure of Dublin port earlier in 1997. [18584/97]
The road hauliers dispute ended on 10 June. Following the general settlement, some issues remained relating to rates of payment for haulage companies employed by a company in the port. My Department has retained the services of the facilitator, initially employed by the Department to help resolve the dispute, to assist with a resolution of this problem. I recently met with the managing director of the company concerned with a veiw to assisting with a resolution of any outstanding problems.
My Department will continue to monitor the implementation of the settlement in consultation with the various representative organisations.
asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her Department will carry out a review of the road haulage industry in Ireland; the proposals, if any, she has received from the Irish Road Haulage Association in this regard; and if so, her response to these proposals. [18585/97]
The Operational Programme for Transport 1994-99, a European Union co-financed programme of investment in transport infrastructure and facilities, identified the importance of the development of the transport services sector. The programme stated that if full advantage was to be obtained from improvements in transport infrastructure, transport and distribution services must develop in a manner which will optimise the use of much improved infrastructure and growing facilities.
In its February 1997 strategy statement, my Department committed itself to conducting a review of the development requirements of the road haulage industry, including the potential for the application of intelligent transport systems. In June 1997 the need for a review was given added urgency by the road haulage dispute in Dublin Port which seriously disrupted transport services.
My Department sought initital comments on the scope and content of such a review from a range of organisations on 19 June 1997. Organisations whose views were sought included The Irish Road Haulage Association, IBEC, The Institute of Freight Forwarders, The Irish Ship Agents Association, The Chartered Institute of Transport, Forfás and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Most of the organisations consulted responded by mid August. In early September a first draft of terms of reference for the review was sent to the interested organisations for consideration.
The Irish Road Haulage Association submitted views on the proposed review on 2 October. Various scheduled dates for a meeting with my Department to discuss their views were deferred at the request of the association until 5 November 1997 when initial discussions took place.
I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to agree appropriate terms of reference and get the much delayed review under way.
