Paisley prays for permits
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THE "INEQUITABLE situation of haulage operators in North ern Ireland has been brought t, the Government's attention fol lowing the concern of tw, Northern Irish MEPs.
Ian Paisley (Democrati Unionist) and John Hum (SDLP) raised the problem wit the EEC Commission. In writte questions they asked whethe they were aware that haulag operators in Northern Irelan held only four Communit permit books, whereas those i the Irish Republic held 80.
"Does the Commission appr( ciate the grave disadvantage •E which this inequity places Nord ern Ireland operators — partict larly since the the alternativ system of national permits doe not meet the needs of thes firms?" said Mr Paisley.
Mr Hume was also concerne that the present system of all( cation of Community permit "unfairly penalises small an medium-sized firms and the e: treme peripheral areas of th Community."
Although the EEC transpo Commissioner, Georges Konto georgis, was unable to reassui the two MEPs he explained th, the allocation of permits with the EEC quotas was the respoi sibility of the national authoi ties.
He had, therefore, forwarde the questions to the British Go. ernment to draw its attention the problem.