Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2005
138 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Transport when the new EU regulation to replace the existing drivers hours rules, as set out in regulation 3820/85, will be finally adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4494/05]
View answerAt the Transport Council in Brussels on 9 December last, the council formally adopted its common position on the Commission proposal to replace the existing drivers' hours rules.
The next stage in the process is that the European Parliament will consider the common position in its second reading of the proposal. This stage is expected to be completed in April after which a further three months is provided for the council to consider the Parliament's second reading. If the council is able to accept the Parliament's second reading, the proposal could be finally adopted in July 2005.
However, if the council is unable to accept the Parliament's second reading, then the conciliation procedure may be invoked with a view to finding a compromise. In that event, the procedure leading to final adoption, assuming an agreement can be reached between the council and Parliament, could take until the end of 2005 to complete.
