Act now before it's too late
Page 20
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THE OBSERVATION made by the Road Haulage Association questioning the Freight Transport Association's (FTA's) disappointment over the lack of progress in introducing the Goods Vehicle (Licensing of Operators) Act into Northern Ireland (CM 11 November) betrays a lack of understanding on their part.
Indeed, the FTA's dismay at the lack of urgency being shown is shared by the politicians who unanimously voted through the primary legislation in January and who are also frustrated that the secondary legislation required to complete the Transport Act is now unlikely to be completed during this Parliament.
Unless the legislative process is accelerated to be completed by March 2011, there will be an indefinite delay until a new government assembly is created. The work will then need to be restarted for presentation to the new committee.
The FTA enjoys a permanent presence in Belfast and Dublin and has supported bringing 0-licensing for Northern Ireland in line with Great Britain since the Department of the Environment proposed changing the legislation. A better enforcement regime will improve road safety ensure fair competition, and improve the industry's reputation. Complacency is not an option. Tom Wilson
Head of policy FTA Northern Ireland