Vol. 496 No. 1
I move amendment No. 3:
In page 8, line 29, after "enter" to insert "that premises".
This is a technical amendment. It has been suggested by the Parliamentary Draftsman to clarify that the inspectors are empowered by the warrant to enter the premises in respect of which the warrant was obtained.
I will not detain the House long but I have some brief observations to make because my amendments were ruled out of order. This legislation has been facilitated in its expeditious passage through the House. More important legislation to do with the haulage sector was published in March 1997 in relation to consigner liability. I refer to the Road Transport Bill. I would like to know the date on which that will be put in place. I would also like the Minister to follow up on what we discussed on Committee Stage in relation to its implementation because there is a plethora of regulations relating to tachographs, road traffic, and different aspects of haulage from which the black economy is still thriving and in respect of which there is no effective implementation. I would like to know when this Bill will come into operation, before it passes. I would like to know what resources will be put in place and whether the Minister will give real consideration in the context of the current review to putting in place a haulage traffic corps — I understand there is, operating out of Naas and elsewhere, a special Garda traffic corps — to deal with all the enforcement aspects, including the carriage of dangerous substances.
To summarise, I want to know when this will be implemented, how it will be enforced and whether the Minister will establish the special cohort of staff that I have sought so that we will have a level playing field in the haulage industry, because if rates are to be undercut it will lead to the self-destruction of a very competitive industry that is vital to our overall economic performance. We are an island economy and we need to move goods to and from the island. This must be at the centre of economic planning and management.
I point out to the Deputy that we are on Fifth Stage. He should confine himself to what is in the Bill. It is not in order to discuss what he would like to see in the Bill.
I appreciate that and am coming to a conclusion. The issue of liability to which I have referred is more pressing than ratifying something which should have been in place since 1 January 1997. I look forward to the Minister responding with specific commitments on those points.
I compliment the Minister of State, Deputy Jacob, on the efficient manner in which he has brought the Bill before the House and steered it though Second and Committee Stages. It is important legislation which should have been introduced a number of years ago because it has direct and crucial relevance to the lives of citizens. I represent an area not far from Dublin Airport and Dublin Port, where there is massive movement of heavy goods vehicles, often with dangerous cargoes, through housing estates.
The legislation will now be implemented by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. A large part of her remit will consist of ensuring it is carried through. However, it is important, especially in the area of health and safety and because of ongoing serious complaints about lack of resources, that the Minister of State, Deputy Jacob, makes it his business, with the Minister, Deputy Harney, to ensure in forthcoming final discussions on the budget that sufficient resources are put in place to implement the praiseworthy ideas in the legislation. It is crucial that there be sufficient personnel in the areas of inspection and health and safety to ensure the safety of workers in heavy transport and of the population through whose areas heavy goods vehicles move. I compliment the Minister, Deputy Jacob, on a job well done.
At the risk of attracting the ire of the Ceann Comhairle, I will endeavour to answer some of the questions posed by Deputy Yates. I thank Deputy Broughan for his kind remarks.
Deputy Yates was obviously referring to the Road Transport Bill which was introduced earlier. When I came to office, I found a number of inadequacies in it which is why we went back to the drawing board with it to ensure it was adequate when brought before the House. I expect it will be introduced shortly.
Will it be published this session?
I am endeavouring to have it published this session and everyone in the Department is working towards that, especially bearing in mind the matter of consignor liability. I am glad Deputy Yates now agrees with me on that because the consignor liability issue was conspicuous by its absence from the previous legislation. That was one of the reasons we re-examined the Bill to make it more comprehensive and to include in it a liability for and onus on consignors. All in the House should be pleased with the legislation for that reason. It cannot be passed quickly enough as far as I am concerned and Deputy Broughan's comments would apply in that regard. It should be passed quickly in the interests of fair play in the industry.
Deputy Broughan mentioned the situation which exists in Dublin Port and that is part of the overall situation regarding road haulage. I compliment the Irish Road Haulage Association for its responsible approach earlier this summer when there was a threatened blockade during the Tall Ships visit. That responsible approach should be adhered to and rewarded by the House taking up the cudgel on the legislation and implementing it quickly. Regarding the safety and enforcement aspects of the legislation, they will be implemented and will introduce to the country the high standards which are expected and which obtain in other countries in the carriage of dangerous goods.
I thank Deputies Yates and Broughan and other colleagues for the expeditious and efficient manner in which the legislation has passed all Stages.
The Minister did not deal with the implementation.
When the legislation has been put in place, the regulations will follow quickly and we will do all possible to ensure they are implemented and in operation soon.
