Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2014
764. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bus operator licence discs that have been issued for buses in each year since 2011; the cost of these discs and the requirement to have them on display; the number of prosecutions taken for bus operators for not having displayed their licensed discs in each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25653/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Road Passenger Transport Operator Licence is issued with a transport disc for each vehicle authorised on the licence. There is no fee per transport disc; a flat fee of €110 applies for a licence application, regardless of the number of vehicles to be authorised on the licence. The following table shows details of the numbers of licences and authorised vehicles since 2011.
Section 11(1)(5) of the Road Transport Act 2011 requires that a transport disc shall be displayed on or affixed to the vehicle to which it relates so that it may be inspected by a transport officer or member of the Garda Síochána. An operator who fails to do so commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a class B fine. The enforcement of this requirement and any prosecutions that may result are the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána.
|
Year |
No. of licences issued during year |
Total no. of licences in effect at end of year |
Total no. of vehicles authorised on licences at end of year |
|
2011 |
316 |
1945 |
9408 |
|
2012 |
542 |
1873 |
9360 |
|
2013 |
387 |
1841 |
9657 |
The general principles of a new Road Transport Bill are being considered by my Department. If the Deputy has any proposals for that Bill, I am open to considering them.
