Ireland fails on bus, lorry training law

Ireland is to be referred to the European Court of Justice for not implementing a directive requiring specific training for bus and lorry drivers.

The European Commission said it was taking the action because Ireland had failed to transpose the 2003 directive into Irish law despite having been issued with a "reasoned opinion" in June calling on the Republic to comply.

European Union member states had been given until September 2006 to transpose the directive.

The directive requires member states to set up a system of initial qualification for drivers of lorries, buses, coaches and minibuses. As well as holding a correct driving licence, drivers will be required to obtain a certificate of professional competence (CPC) and undergo periodic training.

One of two systems to obtain a CPC can be used; either coursework plus a test, or a system based on a test only. Drivers who already hold licences to drive buses or lorries will be exempt from having to obtain the initial qualification as set out in the directive.

However, under the regulations, all drivers in the categories will be required to undergo 35 hours of training every five years in approved training centres.

They will be issued with a professional aptitude certificates showing that they have gained the initial qualification or undergone the subsequent periodic training.

Member states were given until September 10th, 2008 to implement the rules for for drivers of passenger vehicles and until September 2009 for drivers of heavy goods vehicles.

The new laws are intended to "improve road safety and the safety of the driver, including during operations carried out by the driver while the vehicle is stopped", according to the directive.

Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa said there was "no excuse" for the Government's failure to transpose the directive.

"The Road Safety Authority has pointed out that there were 46 deaths and 80 serious injuries as a result of crashes involving trucks or buses in 2005," he said. "Improving the skills of professional drivers will lead to fewer casualties on our roads giving greater protection to more vulnerable road users."

The Department of Transport this afternoon issued a statement on the issue saying that "work is advancing on the service delivery aspects necessary to introduce this new regime and draft regulations have been prepared."

"The RSA is seeking legal advice on certain aspects of the legislation before the regulations are forwarded to the Department of Transport for transposition by the Department of Transport," the statement added.

"The RSA has also engaged with the European Commission and advised on its progress regarding implementation of the Directive.

"The RSA and the Department of Transport are confident that the enabling regulations and supporting structures for the implementation of driver CPC will be in place for Ireland to meet the September 2008 deadline."