Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 4

Written Answers. - Legislative Programme.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

122 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the Acts or sections or other provisions of Acts under the auspices of her Department or for the commencement of which her Department is responsible which have not commenced by reason of the fact that a commencement order has not been made; if it is intended to make such an order; if so, when; the reason for the failure to make such an order to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7168/02]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows:

Road HaulageThe relevant Act and sections are sections 4 to 8, 11, 16 and 23 of the Road Transport Act, 1999. The delay in introducing the commencement order is to allow my Department time to introduce a new vehicle plating system. Amending regulations will also have to be introduced to make provision for certain sections of the Road Transport Acts 1933-1986, which are being repealed. It is intended that the commencement order and the amending regulations will be introduced later this year.

Communications Regulation: Commencement orders for the following provisions of the Postal and Telecommunications Services (Amendment) Act, 1999 have not been made (i) Sections 19(3), 22 and 24 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983. These provisions had not been commenced while the State retained any shareholding in Eircom. Consideration is now being given to the appropriateness of making commencement orders for the above provisions; (ii) Sections 28 and 30 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983. The above provisions cannot be repealed until Eircom's State-guaranteed loans, which extend up to 2003 have been cleared; and (iii) Sections 46(9) and (11) of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983. These provisions must remain until the obligations of the Minister for Finance to Eircom's superannuation fund have been cleared.