Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2017
759. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the licensing process for aspiring bus and tour drivers to reduce red tape and costs to the persons involved, in view of the fact both are acting as a deterrent to seeking to qualify to drive and leading to a shortage of available drivers for the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9753/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are two forms of legal requirement in order for people to drive a bus and carry passengers for reward. These are the requirement to obtain a driving licence and the requirement to obtain a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
In both cases, the requirements are set at EU rather than national level. I cannot therefore amend them. However, I should point out that the requirements set at EU level are based on the need to ensure safety, and must be all the more stringent in view of the safety responsibility involved in driving large vehicles containing passengers. Seen in that light, the requirements set by the EU are reasonable and by no means excessive.
