Vol. 223 No. 11
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will accept nominations other than from CIE, for any number of the 50 cross-Border plates to be issued on the breakup of the Ulster Transport Authority; if so, from what category of persons or plateholders.
5.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he had made any arrangements with the Six County Minister of Development which will permit hauliers from the Six Counties to operate in the Twenty-Six Counties; if so, for how many hauliers; and if he will make a comprehensive statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose taking Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.
Under the legal arrangements which have operated up to the present time cross-Border haulage of goods for reward was confined on the one part to the Ulster Transport Authority and on the other part to CIE, the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Co. and the County Donegal Railways Joint Committee.
The Government have had the position in respect of this traffic under consideration in the light of the enactment of amending road transport legislation in Northern Ireland which, among other things, provides for the dismantling of the UTA monopoly and the licensing of individual hauliers.
The Government, having had regard to representations by licensed hauliers in the State and bearing in mind the desirability of achieving the maximum possible measure of improvement in trade and commercial relations with Northern Ireland, have decided that the licensed hauliers should, subject to the limitations of their licences, be facilitated in participating in this traffic.
This means that licensed hauliers in the State whose areas of operation are contiguous to the Border and who wish to participate in this traffic may apply to the Ministry of Development, Belfast, for the grant of licences. Similarly hauliers licensed in Northern Ireland may apply to my Department for licences.
Licences granted would not, however, authorise a haulier from one area to engage in point-to-point haulage in the other area. Hauliers must furnish such traffic records as may be required by the terms of the licences granted.
These arrangements are being introduced on an experimental and administrative basis. They will be subject to continuous review and to a formal review at the end of 12 months when the position will be reconsidered as necessary in the light of experience.
