Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Nov 1991

Vol. 413 No. 5

Written Answers. - Bus Operator's Licences.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

213 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if adequate staff are available in his Department to expeditiously process applications for bus operator's licence from applicants who have obtained certificates of professional competence; if he will consider an exemption until April 1993 to allow those who are currently availing of school transport services, through CIE, without an operator's licence, so they can continue doing so until that time; whether a letter was sent from his Department to the Chartered Institute of Transport outlining the basis of such an exemption; and, if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mr. S. Brennan)

I am satisfied that adequate staff resources are available in my Department to process applications for road passenger transport operator's licences from applicants who have obtained certificates of competence.

It is not my intention to extend until April 1993 the deadline by which existing bus operators must obtain a road passenger licence under the European Communities (Road Passenger Transport) Regulations, 1991. In response to representations from the industry. I have already extended the deadline, originally fixed for 1 July 1991 to 1 January 1992 when all operators will be required to hold a road passenger transport operator's licence.

Communications between my Department and the Chartered Institute of Transport in Ireland, on this and other matters, are private.