Written Answers Nos. 748-773
748. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application was received by Fáilte Ireland for a festival (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if it was successful; the application procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25247/14]
View answerI have no direct role in relation to the allocation of tourism funding for festivals as this is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply. The Deputy should contact my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
749. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce own account operator licencing similar to that in place in Northern Ireland into the Irish road haulage sector. [25267/14]
View answerThe Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 include a commitment to "Review policy on licensing of road transport operators to assess if own account operators should be included." The Secretary General of my Department is responsible for the delivery of this commitment and this review is due to be completed by quarter 3 of this year.
750. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce compulsory refresher training for persons who have completed the transport manager CPC examination a number of years ago but who have not used the qualification in the interim period and now wish to become transport managers. [25268/14]
View answerRegulation (EC) 1071/2009, Article 8, section 6 provides that member states may require persons who possess a certificate of professional competence (CPC), but who have not managed a road haulage undertaking or a road passenger transport undertaking in the last five years, to undertake retraining in order to update their knowledge regarding the current developments in legislation. Although there is no plan to introduce compulsory retraining for CPC holders at the moment, my officials are in the process of reviewing this option and all other conditions relating to the requirement of professional competence provided for in the Regulation to see if any parts need to be strengthened. On completion of that review, I will consider this further with a view to bringing proposals to Government to provide for any necessary amendment to the current law or for the introduction of new legislation, where necessary.
751. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the current approval process for driver CPC trainers especially in respect of all approved driver CPC trainers having a recognised training qualification. [25269/14]
View answer753. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown by training organisation of the 7396 driver CPC training courses held during 2013. [25271/14]
View answer754. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown by training organisation of the 83182 driver CPC participants trained during 2013. [25272/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 751, 753 and 754 together.
The Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) regime is operated by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
Regulation of driving instruction comes under section 18 of the Road Traffic Act 1968. It has become clear in recent years that the terms of this section are no longer adequate for present day needs, and I therefore intend to update it in the context of the next Road Traffic Bill. I believe that this needs to be done first, before any further changes to driving instruction regulations, including CPC instruction, are made.
752. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of students who sat and successfully passed the transport management CPC January 2014 examination in each examination centre. [25270/14]
View answerThe information requested is set out in the following table.
|
CPC Centre - Jan 2014 |
No. of Candidates |
No. of Passing Candidates |
|
Galway |
10 |
5 |
|
Enniscorthy |
6 |
6 |
|
Athlone |
2 |
2 |
|
Maynooth |
15 |
14 |
|
Cork |
17 |
13 |
|
Birr |
18 |
14 |
|
Green Isle Dublin |
34 |
25 |
|
Sheldon Park Dublin |
47 |
32 |
|
Limerick |
23 |
16 |
|
Letterkenny |
13 |
8 |
|
Curragh Armed Forces |
8 |
8 |
755. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport of the 2,036 applications received for funding under the 2014 sports capital programme, the number of invalid applications received on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25325/14]
View answerAll applications received under the 2014 SCP are currently being assessed by the Department and I hope to announce allocations later this year. It is not possible therefore at this stage to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
756. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or his Department have had discussions with the Canadian authorities regarding the introduction of a reciprocal agreement where holders of driving licences from both jurisdictions can simply apply to transfer their licences without the requirement of sitting the test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25341/14]
View answerAgreements on mutual recognition of driving licences involve very detailed negotiations. On the Irish side, these negotiations are undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). In Canada, each individual province is responsible for its own driver licensing rules. The RSA has therefore been in negotiations with the various provinces in Canada, with a priority given to reaching an agreement with Ontario due to the large numbers of Irish residents there.
I understand from the RSA that most issues have been agreed with Ontario. However the issue of licences based on exchange for a third country licence has delayed matters. My Department is aware of this, and has been in communication with the embassy in Ottawa in order to explore ways of overcoming this. Negotiations are also at an advanced stage with Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Reaching such an agreement is not only a matter of facilitating the exchange of licences by Irish residents in Canada or by Canadian residents in Ireland. Rather it also involves both sides ensuring that the people licensed to drive in the other jurisdiction are properly qualified. As a result, when Ireland makes agreements of this kind with other jurisdictions, we require, as a standard component of the agreement, that we will not accept licences issued by the other jurisdiction if those licences were in turn derived from an exchange with a third country with which we do not have an exchange relationship.
I am keen to see exchange agreements reached with the Canadian provinces as soon as possible.
757. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the involvement he has in the introduction of the new bus rapid transit between Blanchardstown and UCD; his views that the new BRT should be introduced in a way that makes the operation of the service compatible with pedestrian and cyclist safety in order that it does not have a negative impact on residents living in the city centre, particularly in the city’s historic Georgian quarter; and if he will consider the merits of a policy (details supplied). [25380/14]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for developing public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects.
The NTA's Integrated Implementation Plan 2013-2018 has identified that Bus Rapid Transit schemes could play a significant role in the improvement of public transport in the Dublin region and has accordingly proposed three BRT schemes for Dublin, one of which is the Blanchardstown to UCD corridor.
The NTA has advised that work on the identification of a preferred route corridor is ongoing in consultation with relevant bodies including the local authorities.
In the light of the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question and attachments to the NTA for consideration and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
758. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will establish a working group to investigate ways of clearing the long lists of local improvement scheme applicants nationwide; if he will consider proposals like allowing the applicants to contribute a greater amount of the cost if they are willing; if he will ring-fence funding for local authorities for LIS jobs only; if he would allow CCAs to be contributed to LISs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25466/14]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme provides funding for roads and laneways that Councils have not taken in charge. However, the maintenance and improvement of these is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. There is no separate allocation for the Local Improvement Scheme. Instead, local authorities may use up to 15% (up from 7% in 2013) of their initial Discretionary Grant towards local improvement schemes should they wish to do so. The local contribution for these schemes at a 20% monetary contribution towards the total cost of the project is the minimum required contribution.
Details of the 2014 regional and local roads grants were communicated to local authorities on 24 January and I note that Kerry County Council was allocated a Discretionary Grant of €3,264,800. This means that the Council can allocate up to €489,720 of this grant heading to the local improvement scheme if it so wishes. Furthermore, it is open to local authorities to supplement the percentage of their Discretionary Grant that they can use for the local improvement schemes with their own resources. As the Local Improvement Scheme is managed locally, it is a matter for the local authority to manage its own waiting lists and to prioritise works according to resources.
As I outlined in my response to the Deputy in PQ 52621 of 10 December 2013, County Councillor Allowances (CCAs) would not be considered eligible as a local contribution, as this would mean that all the funds for the project were coming from either the central exchequer or local authority resources and no community contribution was being made.
Some local authorities want the LIS. Others prefer to put the money into public roads. I think this decision is best made locally by the councillors themselves.
759. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be considered by his Department for the redevelopment of Enniscrone pier in County Sligo under the Wild Atlantic Way funding programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25493/14]
View answerI have no direct role in the allocation of funding to projects as part of the development of the Wild Atlantic Way. It is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
760. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total amount of capital spending on construction projects carried out by his Department and by bodies operating under the responsibility of his Department since 2008 and to date in 2014; if he will provide the information on an annual basis in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25546/14]
View answer761. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of the €899 million designated to his Department for direct Exchequer capital funding according to the Government Estimates for 2014 is expected to go towards construction related projects; if he will list the projects; if he will provide an update on any of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25562/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 760 and 761 together.
The bulk of spend in my Department is capital (around 60%), and most of this (over 90%) relates to transport investment in roads and public transport projects which naturally involve construction. These programmes are managed by Agencies under my remit - principally, the National Roads Authority (roads programme), the National Transport Authority and CIE (for public transport investment). I have forwarded the Deputy's question to those individual bodies for their direct response. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
Turning to sport and tourism capital spend, I have forwarded your request to the NSDCA (in respect of Sports Campus funding) and Fáilte Ireland (in respect of the tourism product development scheme) for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
There is also a capital allocation for Smarter Travel (€10m annually). However, only elements of these programmes involve construction projects per se, mainly walking and cycling infrastructure. It would be difficult to disaggregate the amounts that are used solely for the purposes of construction.
As the largest component of the Vote which relates to construction spend, I have set out the capital budget allocation from my Department to the NRA in respect of national road projects for the period 2008-2014:
|
Year |
National roads capital allocation € |
|
2008 |
1,599,577,000 |
|
2009a |
1,443,400,000 |
|
2010 |
1,114,000,000 |
|
2011 |
674,000,000 |
|
2012 |
605,000,000 |
|
2013 |
278,060,000 |
|
2014 |
309,000,000* |
*[REV]
Further details on individual projects are available from the NRA.
The capital budget allocation from my Department to local authorities in respect of regional and local roads for the period 2008-2014 is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Regional and local roads capital allocation € |
|
2008 |
469,822,922 |
|
2009 |
325,500,000 |
|
2010 |
300,000,000 |
|
2011 |
343,000,000 |
|
2012 |
281,000,000 |
|
2013 |
315,500,000 |
|
2014 |
288,233,000* |
*[REV]
Details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to individual local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
Regional Harbours
On the maritime side, some capital funding is available to Harbour Authorities for remedial works. Spend from 2008-2014 are set out in the following tables:
2008
|
Body |
Spend |
Remedial Works |
|
Baltimore Harbour Commissioners |
€935,000 |
Remedial works Baltimore Harbour |
|
Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioner |
€700,000 |
Remedial works Bantry Bay Harbour |
|
Kinsale Harbour Commissioners |
€349,795 |
Remedial works Kinsale Harbour |
|
Tralee & Fenit Harbour Commissioners |
€521,131 |
Remedial works Fenit Harbour |
|
Mayo Co Co |
€278,631 |
Remedial works River Moy Harbour |
|
Sligo Co Co |
€550,000 |
Remedial works Sligo Harbour |
2009
|
Body |
Spend |
Remedial Works |
|
Arklow Harbour Commissioners |
€292,140 |
Remedial works Arklow Harbour |
|
Baltimore Harbour Commissioners |
€223,072 |
Remedial works Baltimore Harbour |
|
Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners |
€250,000 |
Remedial works Bantry Bay Harbour |
|
Kinsale Harbour Commissioners |
€401,731 |
Remedial works Kinsale Harbour |
|
Tralee & Fenit Harbour Commissioners |
€382,000 |
Remedial works Fenit Harbour |
|
Sligo Co Co |
€170,879 |
Remedial Works Sligo Harbour |
|
Wexford Co Co |
€138,821 |
Remedial Works Wexford Harbour |
|
Youghal Town Council |
€234,811 |
Remedial Works Youghal Harbour |
2010
|
Body |
Spend |
Remedial Works |
|
Arklow Harbour Commissioners |
€ 784,340 |
Remedial works Arklow Harbour |
|
Baltimore Harbour Commissioners |
€1,214,498 |
Remedial works Baltimore Harbour |
|
Bantry Harbour Commissioners |
€ 417,415 |
Remedial works Bantry Bay Harbour |
|
Kinsale Harbour Commissioners |
€ 403,453 |
Remedial works Kinsale Harbour |
|
Tralee & Fenit Harbour Commissioners |
€ 503,631 |
Remedial works Fenit Harbour |
|
Sligo Co Co |
€ 201,134 |
Remedial works Sligo Harbour |
|
Wexford Co Co |
€ 57,503 |
Remedial works Wexford Harbour |
2011
|
Body |
Spend |
Remedial Works |
|
Arklow Harbour Commissioners |
€ 387,407 |
Remedial works Arklow Harbour |
|
Baltimore Harbour Commissioners |
€1,578,177 |
Remedial works Baltimore Harbour |
|
Bantry Harbour Commissioners |
€ 400,000 |
Remedial works Bantry Bay Harbour |
|
Kinsale Harbour Commissioners |
€1,271,671 |
Remedial works Kinsale Harbour |
|
Tralee & Fenit Harbour Commissioners |
€ 636,000 |
Remedial works Fenit Harbour |
|
Wexford Co Co |
€ 44,426 |
Remedial works Wexford Harbour |
2012
|
Body |
Spend |
Remedial Works |
|
Cork Co Co |
€1,413,241 |
Remedial works Baltimore Harbour |
|
Cork Co Co |
€954,167 |
Remedial works Kinsale Harbour |
|
Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners |
€170,000 |
Remedial works Bantry Bay Harbour |
|
Kerry Co Co |
€755,942 |
Remedial works Fenit Harbour |
|
Wexford Co Co |
€622,411 |
Remedial works Wexford Harbour |
|
Wicklow Co Co |
€62,163 |
Remedial works Arklow Harbour |
2013
|
Body |
Spend |
Remedial Works |
|
Cork Co Co |
€772,268 |
Remedial Works Baltimore Harbour |
|
Cork Co Co |
€979,355 |
Remedial Works Kinsale Harbour |
|
Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners |
€100,000 |
Remedial Works Bantry Bay Harbour |
|
Kerry Co Co |
€749,904 |
Remedial works Fenit Harbour |
|
Wexford Co Co |
€329,236 |
Remedial Works Wexford Harbour |
|
Wicklow Co Co |
€1,369,834 |
Remedial Works Arklow Harbour |
2014 Allocated Funding
|
Cork Co Co |
€1,000,000 |
Remedial works Baltimore & Kinsale Harbours |
|
Wexford Co Co |
€100,000 |
Remedial Works Wexford Harbour |
|
Wicklow Co Co |
€2,000,000 |
Remedial Works Arklow Harbour |
Irish Coastguard
The following table outlines the capital expenditure for the years 2008 to 2014, inclusive, on construction projects carried out by the OPW on behalf of the Coast Guard. These construction projects relate to expenditure on the building of Coast Guard stations.
|
Year |
Total |
|
2008 |
Nil |
|
2009 |
Nil |
|
2010 |
€2,556,139.28 |
|
2011 |
Nil |
|
2012 |
€887,000 |
|
2013 |
€2,855,811.29 |
|
2014 |
Nil |
|
Grand Total |
€6,298,950.57 |
Approximately €450,000 has been allocated to this programme for 2014, in respect of the commencement of the building of a new Coast Guard station at Greystones for the volunteer unit. The commencement of the project is subject to completion of the contract award process by the OPW.
Sports
Capital expenditure under the Sports Capital Programme area does not relate exclusively to construction activity. In view of this and because of the large volumes of payments and grants involved, it is not possible to provide the information sought.
762. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of requests his Department received from Tourism Ireland in 2013 seeking permission to employ additional staff; the number of those requests that have been approved or pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25616/14]
View answerAs a North-South Body, any request from Tourism Ireland to employ additional staff requires the approval of the North South Ministerial Council. No such requests were made in 2013. As part of the Government's Employment Control Framework targets for reducing overall public sector employees, Tourism Ireland did have discussions with my Department in 2013 with a view to reducing its staff numbers and I understand the agency is on track to achieve these reductions.
763. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of cases before the Labour Court, Equality Tribunal, and the Employment Appeals Tribunal that involve civil servants taking cases against his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25647/14]
View answerThere is one such case that is currently being appealed to the Labour Court. There is also another such case that has been heard by the EAT, where a decision is awaited.
764. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bus operator licence discs that have been issued for buses in each year since 2011; the cost of these discs and the requirement to have them on display; the number of prosecutions taken for bus operators for not having displayed their licensed discs in each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25653/14]
View answerA Road Passenger Transport Operator Licence is issued with a transport disc for each vehicle authorised on the licence. There is no fee per transport disc; a flat fee of €110 applies for a licence application, regardless of the number of vehicles to be authorised on the licence. The following table shows details of the numbers of licences and authorised vehicles since 2011.
Section 11(1)(5) of the Road Transport Act 2011 requires that a transport disc shall be displayed on or affixed to the vehicle to which it relates so that it may be inspected by a transport officer or member of the Garda Síochána. An operator who fails to do so commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a class B fine. The enforcement of this requirement and any prosecutions that may result are the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána.
|
Year |
No. of licences issued during year |
Total no. of licences in effect at end of year |
Total no. of vehicles authorised on licences at end of year |
|
2011 |
316 |
1945 |
9408 |
|
2012 |
542 |
1873 |
9360 |
|
2013 |
387 |
1841 |
9657 |
The general principles of a new Road Transport Bill are being considered by my Department. If the Deputy has any proposals for that Bill, I am open to considering them.
765. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the proposed meeting with North Fingal Rural Transport and Louth Leader Partnership to discuss board representation and staffing structures for the new Fingal, Louth and Meath transport co-ordination unit will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25668/14]
View answerFollowing a Government Decision in January 2012, responsibility for the integration of local and rural transport services, including management of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP), was assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 1st April 2012. This includes responsibility for implementing the restructuring of the RTP announced by me on 9th July 2013.
As the NTA is dealing with the issues raised by the Deputy, I have forwarded your question to it for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
766. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which a person (details supplied) in County Kildare suffered financial loss arising from National Transport Authority refusal to reactivate their small public service vehicle licence in view of the change in the relevant provisions by way of a review period of five years reduced to one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25688/14]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry, under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013.
I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. If you do not receive a reply within ten working days please notify my private office.
767. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a sports capital grant in respect of a club (details supplied) in County Cork; when the grants will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25699/14]
View answerI can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme and the Deputy's support for the project is noted. I hope to announce allocations later this year.
768. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to open a second national car test centre in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25746/14]
View answerThe subject of this question is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have referred the question to it for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
769. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of vehicles tested at the national car test centre on the Quin Road, Ennis, County Clare from January to May 2014; the average waiting time for a test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25747/14]
View answerThe subject of this question is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have referred the question to it for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
770. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a load line certificate will issue to a company (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing same in view of the urgent need to avail of work available to the company and the creation of employment, which is a primary objective of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25800/14]
View answerMy Department received an application for a Load Line Certificate of the vessel in question at the end of January.
As there was no certificate of this type issued previously, an Initial Survey was required to be conducted. An Initial Survey can be a detailed and time consuming exercise, particularly in the case of an older vessel. The survey can involve detailed plan approval / desk top reviews as well as on site survey activities, including examinations of the structure of the vessel and its equipment in accordance with the relevant Regulations regarding Load Line certification.
To date a number of inspections of the vessel have been carried out. It is hoped to progress this work during the course of next month. Both the owner and his consultant have been advised of the current situation by my officials over recent weeks. The matter will be advanced as early as is feasible in the context of the various requirements to be met.
771. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent per annum from 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014 on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits-in-kind; if these processes have been revised in view of concerns by the Revenue Commissioners over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25823/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy regarding subsistence and taxi payments is being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible.
My Department has been audited recently by the Revenue Commissioners for tax compliance on these payments as well as other benefits in kind and no issues were raised in this regard.
Travel and taxi usage policies are reviewed on a regular basis. Changes in relevant circulars issued centrally by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are notified to all Departmental staff as a matter of course.
772. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider availing of an option provided to member states under Directive 36 of 2012, whereby drivers who have passed a test for vehicles of categories C, CE, D, and DE with an automatic transmission to drive vehicles with a manual transmission, provided they also have a licence to drive vehicles of categories B, BE, C, CE, C1, C1E, D, D1 or D1E; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25846/14]
View answer773. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that forthcoming regulations requiring lorries used for the purpose of the driving test to have eight forward gears are prudent and necessary, despite the burden of cost that will be imposed on driving instructors in having to upgrade their fleet of vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25847/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 772 and 773 together.
EU Directive 36 of 2012 allows Member States the option of allowing drivers who have passed a test for vehicles of categories C, CE, D and DE with an automatic transmission to also drive vehicles of those categories with a manual transmission, providing that they have a licence to drive vehicles of categories B, BE, C, CE, C1, C1E, D, D1 or D1E and that when tested they underwent tests in safe and energy-efficient driving.
Ireland has not availed of this option, and I have no plans to introduce it. Irish regulations provide that, from 30 June 2014, vehicles of categories C and CE must have a transmission of at least eight forward ratios. This is in line with EU requirements set out in 2006, but more stringent than the amended standards set out in Directive 36 of 2012. However, under the Directive 36 of 2012, it is open to Member States to adopt, as a minimum, the standards set out in the amended Directive, or to apply more stringent requirements. On the basis of advice received, I have chosen to adopt a more stringent position by continuing to apply the minimum eight-ratio requirement.
The principal reasons why I have chosen this approach are road safety related:
- It cannot be safely assumed that a person who passed their driving test some years ago in a four forward gear economy vehicle could be expected to be proficient at controlling a multi-geared heavy goods or high capacity passenger carrying vehicle.
- The risk to the safety of road users from drivers of HGVs or buses whose competence has not been tested in the vehicles they are driving is potentially catastrophic.
