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Irish licence?
Page 7
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AN OPERATOR licensing system could be on the cards for Ireland, as a Government-ordered inquiry looks into the country's road haulage industry.
The Transport Consultative Commission (CM June 14) is taking evidence from interested parties on all sides of the argument, and is concerned particularly about how the 1933 Road Transport Act is affecting operators.
Many bodies, including the Irish Road Haulage Association, see attractions in the British quality licensing system, but there is widespread concern as the Gardai (police) and other Government agencies are unable to enforce existing regulations.
62-tonners
There is a national shortage of weighbridges which, coupled with other security responsibilities of the Gardai, enable some operators to run articulated lorries at as much as 62 tonnes gross.
The IRHA feels inclined to oppose a liberalisation of the present system, but it does want efforts to be made to make operators toe the line.
There also are strong views, as the Irish Overseas Transport Association's George McVitty told CM, that more loans and grants should be made available to hauliers. Many operators want to gain the same benefits as are available to farmers and fishermen. Mr McVitty says his organisation is also very keen that operators should be subjected to more examinations before being granted licences, and says that these should include something along the lines of the British Certificate of Professional Competence.
On the outside of the debate, the Independent Hauliers Association is campaigning for a change to be made to a British system, and spokesman Michael Twomey told CM that he is convinced he will win the battle for this to be achieved.
At present, a six-plate haulage licenceentitling an operator to use six vehicles — is available on the open market for around £10,000, but the IHA wants these to be available only from the Government and for a standard fee.
Moves are also afoot to press for an increase in the legal maximum gross vehicle weights in Ireland. The IRHA is putting its faith behind the full EEC proposals for a 44-tonne limit, saying that this would obviate the present "gross abuse" of the 32.5-tonne limit.
The IHA wants a 38-tonne limit — probably the very lowest figure which the EEC could agree — while the IOTA line is to leave it to the EEC. It feels that the Irish Government will be compelled to accept whatever figure the EEC agrees.