Vol. 421 No. 4
193 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if, in view of the European Commission Directive 90/C286/05, she will renew the licence of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 as this person, (a) entered the industry before 1975, (b) holds a road transport passenger operators licence, a P type cert, and (c) is exempt from the Commission's Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The person referred to by the Deputy was granted a Road Passenger Certificate in December, 1977 confirming that he satisfied the EC requirements pertaining at that time of good repute, appropriate financial standing and professional competence. These are the requirements necessary to enter the occupation of road passenger operator.
In 1989 the EC drew up a new Directive which revised the standards necessary to meet the good repute, financial standing and professional competence requirements. The relevant implementing regulations are in force here since 21 March, 1991, but existing operators have until 30 June 1992 to meet the revised standards, the deadline having twice been extended to facilitate the industry. Road passenger certificates have now been replaced by road passenger transport operators' licences.
The person referred to by the Deputy has satisfied the professional competence requirement and has now to meet the good repute and appropriate financial standing requirements.
He lodged an application for the appropriate licence in May 1991 but as it was incomplete it was returned to him. To date it has not been returned to my Department.
