The Europe-wide road transport market is set to open for business on July 1st, 1998, after MEPs approved legislation laying down conditions under which road haulage and bus companies will be allowed to operate across the Union. In a move to crack down on cowboys, the rules have been tightened to exclude companies already prosecuted for a serious criminal offence, and to oblige operators to hold a cash reserve of ECU 9,000 for the first vehicle. There will also be regular checks on those authorised to take loads between different EU countries.
One point of concern, however, is the recent lorry blockades in France and Britain. Jim Fitzsimons (Leinster, UFE) called on Transport Commissioner Kinnock to take up the case of Irish road hauliers who were still owed some £2 million by the French authorities as a result of the blockade on French motorways last year. Mr Fitzsimons also complained about the recent blockade at Welsh ports which prevented Irish hauliers from using British roads. One of the issues which prompted British lorry drivers to block the motorway to Dover was the high cost of diesel in the UK.