Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2013
561. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if part-time bus drivers are subject to a specific directive regarding their working hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52523/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe working time rules applicable to all bus drivers, full-time or part-time, depend on whether or not the drivers concerned come within the scope of Regulation (EC) 561/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 on the harmonisation of certain social legislation relating to road transport, and are therefore required to use a tachograph when operating.
If the drivers are within scope of Regulation (EC) 561/2006, their driving and resting times are further regulated by Directive 2002/15/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2002 on the organisation of the working time of persons performing mobile road transport activities. This Directive was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Road Transport) (Organisation of Working Time of Persons Performing Mobile Road Transport Activities) Regulations 2012, S.I. No. 36 of 2012. The Road Safety Authority has published a guide about the requirements of Directive 2002/15/EC, which can be downloaded from the RSA website at www.rsa.ie.
Bus drivers who are not subject to the above legislation are, however, subject to the working time rules specified in the Organisation of Working Time Acts. The rules relating to working time specified in the Organisation of Working Time Acts are a matter for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
