asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that hauliers with trade plates are very perturbed at the large amount of haulage trade carried on by lorries without trade plates; and, if so, whether, in view of the resulting detriment to the genuine haulier, he will have steps taken to prohibit the practice.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Haulage Trade.
Outside the exempted areas provided for in the Road Transport Acts, the haulage of merchandise for reward in mechanically-propelled vehicles by a person who is not the holder of a merchandise licence is a breach of the law. It is also an offence for a person to enter into an agreement with an unlicensed haulier for the carriage of merchandise for reward outside the exempted areas. The detection of offences and the institution of proceedings in the case of such offences are matters for the Garda Síochána. From the number of prosecutions brought by them, I am aware that the Gardaí are very much alive to the activities of unlicensed hauliers.