The Coach Tourism & Transport Council (CTTC) welcomes the change of heart by the Department of Transport on the status of UK issued Transport Manager/Operator CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence).

There will be many unexpected consequences arising from Brexit that bus and coach operators may not become aware of until January 2021. Unfortunately, there may be little that can be done to ease any inconvenience that may arise. It will be important however that the Institutions of the State do as much as possible to ease these inconveniences. One such matter that recently became an issue for holders of the Transport Manager CPC, was a determination by the Department of Transport that individuals holding one issued by the UK authorities would not be valid in Ireland.

This would have required a holder to sit an exam to regain a qualification that was already accepted in Ireland. In the first instance, in an initiative taken by the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) and supported by the CTTC, an opinion was sought from the International Road Transport Union (IRU). In a communication sent by the IRU to the IRHA, which was forwarded to the Department Officials, it was clear that the UK document was perfectly legitimate and legal. A poor show on the part of our Civil Servants one would have to say, certainly Irish transport companies deserve better in the future. Sometimes, those involved in transport be it road or passenger, feel like second citizens. Have any other professionals, nurses, doctors, engineers or plumbers been treated similarly? I doubt it.

Meanwhile, I hope you are continuing to enjoy your fortnightly issue of Bus Lane.

Any comments or news items please email sean@fleet.ie

Remember to check your Inbox on 16-12-20 for the next edition of the Fleet Bus & Coach Bus Lane e-zine. 

Thank you,

Sean Murtagh