Carol Nolan raises concerns about the Road Safety Authority's handling of the EU CPC driver training directive and a recent HGV driver safety survey. She argues the RSA's survey sample and methodology are biased and that Ireland's implementation of CPC falls short of other EU states.
Summary of the issue
Carol Nolan addresses the Dail to challenge the RSA's approach to implementing Directive EU 2022-2561 and its recent commissioned survey on HGV driver safety. She outlines how CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) qualification and periodic training operate, and why proper implementation matters for road safety and the haulage industry.
Survey criticisms and alleged bias
Nolan details serious problems with the RSA-commissioned survey carried out by Leeds Beckett University: an extremely small Irish sample, selection of drivers with known offences, and an apparent drive toward a predetermined negative headline. She cites concerns raised by the Irish Road Haulage Association and argues the survey ignored infrastructure, enforcement and other real-world factors.
Implementation gaps and EU comparisons
Nolan contrasts Ireland's CPC implementation with practices in countries such as the Czech Republic, Belgium and the Netherlands, where trainers and centres have more flexibility and a broader range of certified courses. She claims the RSA's current approach restricts choice and practical relevance for drivers and operators.
Legal context and RSA responsibility
The video explains the legal basis for CPC under Directive EU 2022-2561, the training and periodic requirements for categories C and D drivers, and the RSA's role in developing curriculum and reviewing modules. Nolan calls for proper adherence to the directive and better engagement with industry concerns.
Political and procedural next steps
Nolan notes the matter has been taken on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, and indicates further follow-up is appropriate. She urges ministers and the RSA to address the methodological flaws and to reassess CPC delivery to protect road safety and the haulage sector.
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Go raibh maith agat Cathaoirleach. Minister, I wish to raise the Road Safety Authority's defective implementation of the EU CPC driver training directive and in particular its latest flawed initiative which is in terms of a biased HGV driver safety survey that is deeply concerning for road safety and for the future of the haulage industry. Go raibh maith agat. Thanks very much Deputy Mayor O'Neill for raising this important matter. I take on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Dara O'Brien. Directive EU 2022-2561 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers is transposed into Irish law but European Communities Vehicle Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence Number 2 Regulation 2008 SI359 of 2008 as amended. Under the directive transposed via the 2008 regulation to drive a truck or a bus professionally in the EU, drivers must have a valid CPC qualification. This involves passing four exams, theory test, case study, driving test and walkabout. Qualification is maintained by completing CPC periodic training of 35 hours in each five-year training cycle. Each module consists of seven hours of periodic training. Drivers must do seven hours of periodic training every year, adding up to 35 hours for five modules over the five years. Drivers aboard a bus and truck CPC must complete 42 hours of training over each five-year period. Durational training is defined in the directive and is obligatory for professional drivers in the EU. Annex 1 of the directive outlines the minimum CPC training requirements, establish the knowledge to be taken into account by Member States, when establishing drivers' initial qualification, periodic training must include at least the subjects specified in the directive. Trainee drivers must reach the level of knowledge and practical competence necessary to professionally drive in all safety vehicles of a relevant driving licence category. In Ireland, training modules are developed by the RSA in line with the directive. The RSA reviews CPC modules and is responsible for selecting the contents in each module based on the objectives outlined in the directive. The RSA works with CPC trainers and panellist subjects, matters, experts from the industry to ensure relevant input into module contents. The RSA recently completed a review of Module 1, Control of Vehicle and Eco-Driving Techniques, which is due to be issued to CPC training providers shortly. The next module to be reviewed is Module 3, Helping a Safety Professional Driver. Work on this will start as soon as Module 1 is issued. Following the RSA's CPC survey, some drivers expressed an interest in online training. However, the directive makes provision for only a small portion of the syllabus being conducted online. Drivers can only do part of their module online and would have to complete it in person. Accordingly, the RSA has decided not to pursue this option at the current time. Keeping with the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, action to review the Accessibility of Drivers CPC, the RSA has introduced a pilot probe for drivers with a valid ADR, Dangerous Goods Certificate. Qualified drivers can apply for an exemption from CPC Module 2, provided their ADR certificate is valid on the expiry date of the current CPC card. I thank you for your response and for taking this question tonight. It is very disappointing to see that neither the Minister for Transport nor the Junior Minister for Transport is here because there are serious issues around the RSA. The RSA recently commissioned a survey and commissioned Leeds Beckett University in England to carry out research on HGV driver safety. There are a number of issues around that particular survey, which I will highlight now. They planned to interview only 40 Irish HGV drivers, but the extraordinary thing here was that within that they wanted a sample of 20, and that those drivers were drivers that had issues such as speeding, drink driving, phone use or careless driving. It was like they were trying to engineer a particular sample for a predetermined headline, such as 50% of HGV drivers are breaking the law. It really was biased. I know that the Irish Road Haulage Association, who I have been in contact with, have called this out and have labelled it as fundamentally flawed and inherently biased. The survey ignored real world problems and factors such as dangerous road infrastructure, the behaviour of other road users, levels of enforcement and indeed the performance of the RSA itself. Instead it focused on the negative and it was really like they wanted a particular outcome, no doubt about that. The sham survey unfortunately is not an isolated mistake by the RSA. It is a symptom of the RSA's wider failure to properly implement the EU CPC driver training directive, and it's all down to the way they're implementing this. I have been provided with detailed correspondence from an experienced CPC trainer and member of the IRU expert panel in Brussels, and he highlights the stark contrast with other EU member states. For example in the Czech Republic, approved training centres have real flexibility and they can deliver practical relevant content including first aid, emergency response, cargo securing and company specific training, even on the operator's own premises. Belgium offers 28 certified CPC courses, while Holland offers 22. Drivers and operators have genuine choice and relevant training, but it's not so in Ireland. So there are issues around the RSA's implementation. Once again I'd like to thank Deputy Mayor Owen for raising this matter, which I'm taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Dara O'Brien TD. The legal basis for professional competence for professional drivers is contained in Directive EU 2022-2561 and the initial qualification period training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers. Under this directive, it is a legal requirement that all new categories C and D professional drivers complete and pass the driver CPC qualification or take periodic training. CPC is mutually recognised across all EU member states, allowing drivers to work differing EU member states without gaining additional certification. But the added training further ensures that professional drivers remain informed of developments in road safety, registration, vehicle technology, regulatory obligations, best practice within the transport sector. The continued professional development model underpinning driver CPC recognise that professional driver safety could lack a patient requiring ongoing competence and regulatory oversight. Both the duration of the training and the subjects to be covered are specified when the directive on mandatory professional drivers operating in EU member states. The RSA is responsible for creating a curriculum in line with the directive in Ireland. The RSA undertakes periodic review of the training modules to ensure that they fully meet the requirements of the directive and represent best practice in terms of training requirements. The overarching purpose of qualification period training process required by directive is to ensure road safety and the safety of drivers. It ensures drivers can invest and navigate adverse conditions, operate complex equipment and ensure passenger safety and cargo protection. It allows harmonisation of professional driver standards across the EU, enhancing road safety and professional mobility. Deputy Noel, I know you've raised a specific point in your contribution. Obviously, this is in regard to the Minister's attention and might I suggest, but I expect either you've already done it or you will be doing it, that that specific point you raised is to take up directly with Minister O'Brien.
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