§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations have been made on behalf of the Government to the Government of the Republic of Ireland concerning(a) their policies towards UK haulage firms seeking to flag out their vehicles by registering them in the Irish Republic and (b) the enforcement of their policies; and if he will make a statement. [99108]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 22 November 1999]It is for the Irish authorities to apply and enforce their legislation on vehicle registration. We have made no representations about the way they do so. However, there are concerns that some UK hauliers who have re-registered vehicles in the Irish Republic may not be fully satisfying the requirements of either UK or Irish law, and this has been the subject of discussions with the Irish authorities.