asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the reason a carrier licence has not been issued to a person (details supplied) in County Meath having regard to the fact that he has a £60,000 unit which he cannot use until this licence is granted and when the licence will issue.
Written Answers. - Carrier Licences.
141.
I wish to advise the Deputy that an application has not been received from the person named for a road freight carrier's licence. An application was, however, lodged on Friday, 17 November 1989, by a limited company in County Meath, of which the person named is the company secretary. This application has been examined and has been found to be deficient in a number of respects. The company were written to on 20 November 1989, advising them of the matters which require attention.
As soon as these matters have been attended to by the company, the application can be further processed and every effort will be made to finalise it as soon as possible.
142.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the number of applications for carrier licences in his Department; if his attention has been drawn to the long delays being experienced by applicants for licences; and if he will make a statement on his proposals to deal with outstanding applications immediately.
There were about 670 applications for road freight carrier's licences on hand at close of business on Friday, 17 November 1989.
There have been some delays in this area because of the large number of applications being received in the Department and the limitations on the staff resources available. In some cases, delays are caused by the fact that the application forms — which are statutorily prescribed — are not completed in full or are not supported by the necessary backup documentation.
My Department are making every effort, through overtime working and redeployment of staff, to minimise delays and to finalise applications as soon as possible.