asked the Minister for Labour if, on the accession of this country to the EEC, there will be a restriction of eight hours work in any one day for drivers of licensed public service vehicles and of goods vehicles over 3½ tons; and if it will be obligatory to fit a tachograph to commercial vehicles.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Service Vehicle Drivers.
27.
The EEC regulation dealing with the harmonisation of certain social provisions in the field of road transport includes a provision governing the permitted maximum period of daily driving on certain public service vehicles and on goods vehicles over 3½ metric tons. As from the 1st October, 1971, the daily maximum will be eight hours. The regulation will apply to Ireland on accession to the EEC subject to any transitional arrangements that might be negotiated.
There is also an EEC regulation providing for the fitting of a tachograph to commercial road vehicles. This regulation, to which Ireland will be subject on accession to the EEC, applies to new commercial vehicles from the 1st January, 1975, and to all commercial vehicles from the 1st January, 1978, again subject to whatever transitional arrangements may be negotiated.