News

The Irish Government is set to lift a regulatory burden on hauliers by removing the requirement for operators to employ a full-time transport manager. Unlike the UK, the Irish do not allow operators to use nominated CPC holders, who are entitled to offer their services to other transport companies.

The change was announced by Irish transport minister Noel Dempsey at last weekend's Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) annual conference in Trim, Co Meath. "A policy where even the smallest  operator has to have a full-time transport manager is too restrictive," said Dempsey, "It's policy gone mad - we have to do something to ease the regulatory burden."

Dempsey said the move comes ahead of a new EU regulation on access to the road transport industry which will allow a CPC holder to work for up to four operators with a total fleet of 50 trucks. " An operator will then be able to employ a transport manager on a part-time basis. Consultation will begin later this month to end the restriction."

"The move is not a great leap forwards," says outgoing IRHA president Jimmy Quinn, "There are exemptions for small companies that allow the nominated CPC holder to be a family member."

Quinn's second two-year stint as president ended at the weekend. Roscommon tipperman Vincent Caulfield has been elected as the new president. It is also his second term in the office.