Transport responsibilities
Flynn asked whether transport matters would be assigned solely to the Minister for Transport and whether duties could be transferred from other departments. The Taoiseach had no immediate proposals but said road-transport crew functions involving EEC tachograph rules were under examination, noting the difficulty of settling departmental responsibilities.
asked the Taoiseach the proposals he has to assign sole responsibility for transport matters to the Minister for Transport.
Comment on this
I have no immediate proposals to assign sole responsibility for transport matters to the Minister for Transport. However, the possibility of transferring certain functions currently exercised by the Minister for Labour in relation to road transport crews—involving primarily the administration of the EEC tachograph regulations—is under examination at present.
Comment on this
Would the Taoiseach agree that there are some administrative difficulties which can only be relieved in the Department of Transport by transferring certain duties from the Departments of the Environment and Justice?
Comment on this
I am aware that there are considerable difficulties in deciding on the optimal division of responsibility in this area. That is illustrated by the fact that my file contains no less than a score of letters between Ministers of the preceding Government seeking to sort out this matter which they had not done by the time they relinquished office.
Comment on this
As the Taoiseach found it politically advisable to change certain Departments and to give them to certain political heads, he might show the same wisdom in dealing with this matter.