Fleet Awards 2010 Web by Orla Sweeney

• Irish Haulier of the Year • Irish Truck of the Year Johnstown House Hotel, Enfield, County Meath - Monday 4 October 2010.

Johnston Logistics collects Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year Award 2011

Pictured (l-r) Paul Flanagan, Castrol Ireland, Niall Hickey, Sales Manager, Johnston Logistics and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine

ublin based Johnston Logistics was announced as Irish Haulier of the Year 2011 at the fourth annual Fleet Transport Awards Gala Dinner, held at Johnstown House Hotel, Enfield, County Meath on Monday evening 4 October. On receiving the award from Paul Flanagan, Castrol Ireland, Niall Hickey, Sales Manager, Johnston Logistics said, “We are absolutely delighted to win the overall Irish Haulier of the Year title having won the National category last year. For this year’s entry we focussed on innovation as we have invested heavily in IT

Part of the successful team at Johnston Logistics

systems. 90% of all transactions are now done through direct data interface between back office, driver representative and the customer. As one of our colleagues described our achievements tonight ‘we are blown away with winning the main award and two category awards on the night’.” Johnston Logistics now go forward to represent Ireland in the European Transport Company of the Year Finals 2012. Earlier Johnston Logistics was named as National Haulier of the Year for the second time in a row and also secured the inaugural Innovation Award.

Over 430 representatives from the road transport industry attended the Gala Dinner hosted by RTE TV personality Marty Whelan. Guest speakers included Pat Cox, Co-ordinator European Commission for the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), Marian Harkin, MEP Ireland North West and Gavin Murdoch, Managing Director, Tradeteam, European Transport Company of the Year 2010. Established to honour excellence in operation or services to the road transport industry, in all 14 awards were presented on the night.

Among the other Fleet Transport Award winners were:

Albert Johnston; Managing Director, Johnston Logistics

· International Haulier of the Year McGuinness Forwarding (Dublin) · Owner/Driver Haulier of the Year – Elsatrans (Kildare) · Own Account Transport Operator of the Year – BOC Gases Ireland (Dublin) · Regional Transport Operator of the Year – Sligo Haulage & Distribution · Livery of the Year – Coldcut Logistics (Dublin) · Environment Award – Celtic Linen (Wexford) · Pallet Network Member of the Year – Transland Group (Kildare)

· Safety Award – Stobart Ireland Ltd. (Dublin) · Transport Manager of the Year – Damien Prendergast (Keelings Logistics) · Technician of the Year – Paul Murphy (Irish Commercials Sales Ltd.) · Services to the Transport Industry – Howard Knott The second element to the Fleet Transport Awards saw the Scania R-series scoop the Irish Truck of the Year 2011 title with Mercedes-Benz and Iveco sharing the Green Commercial of the Year 2011 titles.

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOV 10 27

AWARDS

Scania R-series wins Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year 2011 • Mercedes-Benz & Iveco share Green Commercial titles • Volvo Trucks & Thermo King scoop Truck & Trailer Innovation Awards

he Scania R-series was named Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year 2011 at the 8th annual hosting of the Awards event at the Johnstown House Hotel, Enfield, County Meath. Launched in Ireland in the last year the Scania R-series beat off the challenge from BMC Professional, DAF LF, Volvo FM and Volvo FMX to win the much coveted title.

On receiving the Irish Truck of the Year Award from Russell Kelly, representing prize sponsor Fuelwise, Joe Crann, Managing Director, Westward Scania said, “We are very proud at Westward Scania that the R-series has won the Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year 2011 title. Scania has the broadest range of engines from 230-480 horsepower that does not require any additive other than diesel, which along with excellent fuel consumption gives the operator a big advantage. That, backed up by an automated gear changing system that uses Scania’s standard transmission, ensures the minimum of specialised components and maximum up-time. With the new R-series, Scania has evolutionised the model to make it

more efficient all round.” The Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year Awards are presented to vehicles, products or components that are deemed to have made the greatest contribution to road transport efficiency.

Mercedes-Benz won two categories in the Green Commercial of the Year 2011 Awards with the Vito E-Cell taking the Electric Class and the Atego Hybrid Blue Tec victorious in the Diesel/ Electric Hybrid section. Iveco retained its title of having the best Natural Gas powered vehicle with the EcoDaily CNG. Other award winners at the Gala Dinner, which was held in conjunction with the Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year 2011 and attended by over 420 representatives from the road transport industry, were Volvo Trucks with its new FMX Construction range scooping the Truck Innovation Award and Thermo King’s CryoTech chosen as the Trailer Innovation Award winner. The Galway based temperature control manufacturer for all modes of transport will now go forward to represent Ireland at the Trailer 2011 Expo in Belgium. 28 FLEETTRANSPORT | NOV 10

Pictured (l-r) Russell Kelly, Fuelwise (sponsor); Joe Crann, Westward Scania and Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport.

AWARDS

Mercedes-Benz & Iveco share Fleet Transport Green Commercial of the Year Awards 2011

or the second time the Fleet Transport Awards 2011 programme includes a Green Commercial of the Year. Th is honour goes to the commercial vehicle manufacturer that develops ‘a new eco-friendly alternative method of propulsion designed to reduce the carbon footprint of the operator’. This product that also contributes to the efficiency of the transport of goods by road can also incorporate significant technical improvements to an existing product. For the 2011 Green Commercial of the Year Awards there are three categories - Electric, Hybrid & Natural Gas. The award is organised by Fleet Transport magazine, Ireland’s leading Commercial Vehicle publication with the jury headed up by Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor & ITOY/IVOY member. Each nominated vehicle is examined and test driven by a panel of experts consisting of qualified technicians and commercial vehicle journalists.

Axel Glaesle; Mercedes-Benz, Deirdre O’Flaherty; ESB ecars & Stephen Byrne; Mercedes-Benz Ireland

On the election of the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL as the winner of the Electric category, Iris Schleicher, Manager Product Communications Mercedes-Benz Light Commercials said, “The Vito E-CELL underlines the leadership of Mercedes-Benz when it comes to innovation and technology. We are proud to receive the Fleet Transport Green Commercial of the Year Awards!

On the Iveco EcoDaily Natural Power taking the Natural Gas category, Nigel Emms, Communications Director, Iveco stated that he was delighted that the latest version of the Daily range retained the title won in the competition last year.

Axel Glaesle, Senior Manager Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles said on receiving the Hybrid category winner’s prize of specially commissioned stained glass depiction of the Mercedes-Benz Atego BluTec Hybrid, “I’m absolutely proud that this award goes to the Mercedes-Benz Atego BlueTec Hybrid. It confi rms once again that we are on the right track with “Shaping Future Transportation”. And it’s right to offer this hybrid truck now to our customers.”

Electric Iveco EcoDaily Electric, Mercedes-Benz Vito E-Cell

Iris Schleicher; Mercedes-Benz, Deirdre O’Flaherty; ESB ecars & Fergus Conheady; Mercedes-Benz Ireland.

Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport; Nigel Emms, Iveco and Deirdre O’Flaherty, ESB ecars

Candidates for the Fleet Transport Awards 2011 Green Commercial of the Year were:

Hybrid Mercedes-Benz Atego BluTec Hybrid, Fuso Canter Eco-Hybrid Natural Gas Iveco EcoDaily Natural Power, Mercedes-Benz Econic NGT.

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOV 10 29

AWARDS

Truck Innovation Award 2011 The new Volvo FMX

olvo has taken the FM, a very successful and well-proven construction truck in its own right, and developed it further to be even better. Feedback from drivers provided the inspiration for many of the new innovative features on the new Volvo FMX. For example, the impressive transformation now includes a new rugged exterior and powerful stance, new durable headlights, new central towing device, new anti-slip steps, new ladder and grab handle, and a new load sensor that sends load weight information to the optimised I-Shift gearbox for a smooth gear sequence.

“Customers are asking for increased specialisation and we are listening to them,” explained Goran Nyberg, M.D., Volvo Truck UK & Ireland on receiving the Award from Russell Kelly, on behalf of sponsors Fuelwise. “The purpose-engineered Volvo FMX is the proof – a truck that truly reflects its capabilities, inside and out. It breathes construction,” he added.

A quick glance at this truck and its powerful stance immediately reveals the close connection between Volvo Trucks and its sister-company, Volvo Construction “This honour goes to the truck manufacturer or Equipment – among the world leaders in bodybuilder that creates ‘a new method, idea Pictured (l-r) Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport; Russell Kelly, Fuelwise dumpers, excavators and wheel-loaders. The or product of a technological nature designed (Sponsor) and Goran Nyberg, M.D., Volvo Truck UK & Ireland. new Volvo FMX literally breathes construction to enhance operations by the company or – reflecting its capabilities, inside and out. their customers’,” said Jarlath Sweeney, Editor, Fleet Transport magazine, organizers of the When it comes to having both truck and competition. construction equipment manufacturing operations under the same roof, the Volvo Group Volvo Trucks has been producing construction stands alone. No other manufacturer has this trucks since 1928 and Volvo FMX marks a new kind of experience. This fact puts Volvo Trucks phase towards further specialisation. This has in a strong position as the company aims to resulted in a separation of the highly successful expand its well-established business within the FM range into two dedicated parts - Construction construction segment. and Distribution.

Trailer Innovation Award 2011 Thermo King CryoTech

hermo King’s innovative next generation technology patented cryogenic cooling system, CryoTech, uses recycled liquid R-744 or carbon dioxide (CO2) as a coolant. The launch of this technology into a viable product range means that customers can choose to minimise their environmental impact including noise, emissions and carbon footprint, while benefiting from improved temperature control.

Thus, using liquid R-744 in CryoTech refrigeration systems allows for zeroemissions operation and the lowest carbon footprint, ensuring that this is significantly more environmentally friendly than a conventional diesel or cryogenic nitrogen injection system.

Thermo King is the global leader in solutions for temperature-controlled transport, supplying the world market from 11 How does it work? production facilities (including one in Galway) and over 800 distributors worldThe secret behind Thermo King’s CryoTech wide (Ballinlough Refrigeration looks after units is the use of recycled liquid R-744 as a Pictured (l-r) Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport; David O’Gorman, the Irish market). The American company coolant in an open loop system. While this Thermo King and Des Lawlor, Krone (category sponsor). offers a wide range of refrigeration and is not the only cryogenic solution currently heating units for vehicles of all sizes, from available, it is highly innovative as it provides small vans to large trailers, as well as airborne airflow in the load space, which is essential for and ocean-going containers. In addition fresh produce. Also, it exhausts the cryogen Thermo King provides heating, ventilation outside of the load space ensuring that no R-744 and air-conditioning equipment for passenger enters the cargo area, unlike other systems that buses and railcars. inject liquid coolant into this space displacing oxygen. Such systems require complex safety mechanisms and gas extraction equipment to protect operators. This inevitably delays loading and unloading while the gas is removed and the area becomes safe to enter.

30 FLEETTRANSPORT | NOV 10

AWARDS

Address by Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor, Fleet Transport Dear friends in transport,

nce again you are all very welcome to the annual Fleet Transport Awards Gala Dinner. Another full house which is great to see. Those of you that are here for the fi rst time, we sincerely hope you have an enjoyable night. We have planned a bigger and better night’s entertainment than here-to-fore, for this the fourth occasion that we bring together the transport companies and representatives from the commercial vehicle industry under one roof. No other event of its type offers this opportunity.

to Germany for example that offers a €500m E-mobility programme which provides up to 25% grant-aid off the cost of hybrid powered trucks. I put the question to Minister Ciaran Cuffe recently and his reply was that there needs to be cuts of more than €3 billion out of the Exchequer in the Budget, so any financial assistance directed to this area is a non-runner.

As you will see from the Finalists listed, there are a number of new names entered this year and I must say the quality of entry is gett ing better every year, we need companies like these to set and raise standards. Tonight we have an All-Ireland & European theme to our guest speaker line-up starting with Pat Cox, former President of the European Parliament and currently Co-ordinator for the Trans-European Transport Network at the European Commission. Sligo based MEP Marian Harkin has been your voice in Brussels in relation to transport and social affairs issues. We have also invited Belfast native Gavin Murdoch who is Managing Director of Tradeteam, which won the European Transport Company of the Year last February. As you may be aware the overall winner of the Irish Haulier of the Year title goes forward to represent Ireland in the pan-European competition in 2012. Mentioning Europe we are very grateful to those of you that have travelled long distances to this event and we hope it gives you a taste of Irish hospitality to return soon. We need every Euro we can get! You may see some of our public representatives at the front door on your way out ratt ling buckets so please give generously – our Country needs Euro! At the recent Commercial Vehicles Show at the IAA in Hanover, two things stood out – Europe is coming out of the recession and an increasing number of vehicle manufacturers are investing in all electric and hybrid technology as a viable alternative source of propulsion. As you know we have our Strategic Framework 2020 to have 10% of our vehicle fleet powered by electricity by 2020 which is up and running. But as there is no corresponding fi nancial incentive offered by Government to electric medium/heavy commercial vehicles on par with electric cars, that ambition target will be more difficult to attain. To be honest we are not at the races – look

Staying with Germany, there was a general upbeat mood at the IAA Show. All of the major commercial vehicle manufacturers are reporting that production is on the rise. However, it will be until the end of 2013, in the advent of Euro 6, that significant changes to models will be made. Both MAN and Iveco gave us a glimpse of what is to come at the IAA and you will see pictures of same in this month’s edition of Fleet Transport. So the upturn is evident but looking at the figures in detail, while Europe is trickling along, Eastern Europe shows more potential, but it is in South America and Asia that the real growth lies – so in our current situation, litt le old Ireland will remain fi rmly on the back foot. Interestingly from both Schmitz Cargobull & Krone, twin-axled 38 tonne gross trailers were introduced at the Show in Hanover, which would suit Irish operators trying to cope with the 5-axle ban in Dublin. We lost some high profi le transport operators in the past two years – and mourn the loss of their contribution to the industry. But due to the seriously competitive nature of the road haulage industry, there is always someone to step in and fi ll the void. Transport companies need to work ON their business instead of IN their business in order to succeed. Too many companies are simply fi re-fighting their way out of situations – be it contractual obligations or merely keeping up with rules and regulations. Maybe its time to stand back, diagnose and assess the current state of play with your company. It is time to dedicate

someone to oversee the implementation of the ongoing legislation issues, not forgetting the basic requirements such as Daily Vehicle Checks and Driver’s Hours Regulations. The Road Safety Authority is there for a reason – safety for you and me on our roads. And while I’m at it, it’s good to see that at last we have some Motorway Services. But how long do we have to wait before we have nationwide coverage on our motorways? Notice how quick the Toll booths go up. Maybe if the Toll operators were given the chance to provide Service Stations on these highways the profits from same could help reduce toll charges. In wearing my Caravan Cruise Ireland hat if I may, which is our new mobile leisure magazine, there are litt le or no facilities for campervans – no plugins or bott led gas available, which is disappointing. With vast amounts of information just a few clicks or fl icks away, sometimes it's difficult to get the real answers to specific questions. Th at’s where Fleet Transport comes in. The team of journalists that contribute each month to Ireland’s leading Commercial Vehicle Magazine and website – fleet.ie collectively have the experience and expertise like no other – no matter what the subject is relating to, be it road transport or public transport. Over the past 8 years, the Fleet team has continuously gained the necessary knowledge to keep up with market trends, legislation amendments and technology. Together they provide all the information in easy to read, easy to understand format. Apart from their regular articles, Fleet Transport can provide an advisory service where any one of these contributors can be contacted to reply to your specific questions relating to their expertise. They too are just a few clicks away! To conclude, I did my second module for the Driver’s CPC Course which covered Health & Safety issues which included healthy eating. We plan to roll out a programme on that subject soon but in the meantime I don’t wish that you start in this manner tonight, but if you leave your dessert I will understand. Enjoy the night and thanks again for your attendance. Special thanks to our various sponsors for their continuous support to this event and to Marty Whelan our compare and to Marc Roberts for providing the musical entertainment. I would now like to introduce you to Pat Cox, former President of the European Parliament and currently an advisor to the European Commission on the TEN-T – the Trans European Transport Network. Thank you. FLEETTRANSPORT | NOV 10 31

AWARDS

Address by Pat Cox – former President European Parliament on Ireland’s Corporate Tax situation.

“I

t is a great pleasure for me to be here tonight and I thank you for the invitation to address your annual Fleet Transport Awards. Especially in these tough times it is wonderful to attend an event which celebrates excellence and achievement, two qualities which are and will remain indispensible to our eventual recovery. One year ago I along with a wonderful and dedicated group of volunteers, as Ireland for Europe, rejoiced in Ireland’s overwhelming endorsement of the Lisbon Treaty. Among the sectors that contributed handsomely to this endeavour was the road haulage industry. I would like to take this opportunity tonight to place on the record my deep appreciation for the personal referendum campaign engagement of so many transport operators and of your representative bodies. One year on, fuelled partly by an indifferent international economic recovery but mainly by public policy failures at home the Irish economy has been subjected to sustained fi nancial market pressure to get our house in order. In recent days a new though familiar theme has been added to the mix. Th is was captured in an Irish Times headline story last Saturday (2 October) – "The stage has been set for a confrontation between the Government and Brussels over Ireland’s corporate tax regime." Specifically the article refers to a widely quoted remark last week by the EU Economic Affairs Commissioner, Olli Rehn: “It’s a fact of life that after what has happened, Ireland will not continue as a low-tax country, but it will rather become a normal tax country in the European context.” He added: “You ask about tax increases, I do not want to take any precise stand on an issue which is for the Irish Government and the Irish Parliament to decide, but I would not rule out any option at this stage.” The European Union is a union based on the rule of law. In agreeing to ask the Irish people to vote again on the Lisbon Treaty the Irish Government so decided on the basis of guarantees negotiated with and agreed by the Heads of State and Government of the 27 EU member states. Their decision was agreed at a European Council meeting on 19 June 2009 in Brussels. The decision is an international agreement intended to be binding in public international law. Since our referendum this has been registered with the Treaty section of the United Nations Secretariat in New York in compliance with Article 102 of the UN Charter.

32 FLEETTRANSPORT | NOV 10

taxation because of the current pressure of exceptional and difficult economic events. The rule of law, solemn guarantees and high level institutional and political assurances must count for something. If not, the very legitimacy of the EU itself would be called into question.

It awaits further elaboration at the time of the ratification of the next EU accession Treaty with a new member state. As regards content, the second part of the guarantees reads- ‘Nothing in the Treaty of Lisbon makes any change of any kind, for any Member State, to the extent or operation of the competence of the European Union in relation to taxation’. In a speech delivered in Limerick on September 19 2009 before our referendum the President of the European Commission, Mr Jose Manuel Barroso, recalled that: ‘The other Member States have listened to the reasons why so many people voted NO last time and have responded with solemn, legally binding guarantees to meet these concerns. I hope that these will have laid to rest any fears people might have had and that the way is now clear for Ireland to vote YES on 2 October’.

As one among many who dedicated months of voluntary activity to fighting for a YES vote last year I would regard it as a betrayal of the Irish people and of the fundamental values of the EU were our hour of need today to be used as a pretext to walk away from solemn commitments. These formed part of the EU’s contract of expectations with the Irish public when we were asked to vote a second time. These expectations are no less legitimate than the ratified Treaty of Lisbon itself whose most critical penultimate hurdle required and was given the goodwill and support of Irish citizens. Thomas Jefferson when draft ing the American Declaration of Independence wrote that: ‘Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed’. The consent of the governed in Ireland for the Lisbon Treaty was informed by the guarantees, including the tax guarantee. Its nullification without their consent would be an act of duplicity unworthy of any law abiding and self- respecting institution.”

A basic principle of civil and international law is summarised in the Latin phrase ‘pacta sunt servanda’, meaning that agreements must be kept. The Irish people are entitled to rely on this guarantee in respect of taxation when it comes to their government’s right to set Irish corporate tax rates. The European Union can do nothing to compel a change in Irish domestic policy on taxation. Th is is confi rmed by past decisions of the European Court of Justice and it has not been changed by the Lisbon Treaty. On the contrary, the Treaty guarantees explicitly underlining Ireland’s sovereign rights regarding taxation policy. At the moment our economy is down but, subject to appropriate public policy responses, is not out. It would be a grave error of judgement by the EU, its servants or its member states, however powerful or influential they may be, to seek to force Ireland’s hand on corporate

Gavin Murdoch; Managing Director, Tradeteam winner of the 2010 European Transport Company of the Year Award addressing the audience on his company's recent success.

AWARDS

Address by Marian Harkin MEP

hank you for your kind invitation to your Fleet Transport Awards Gala Dinner – a wonderful event, which showcases the very best, those who are head and shoulders above the rest in their respective fields of endeavour – whether it's technicians, managers, hauliers, those who ensure safety, those who foster innovation, those who help protect the environment and of course the two big ones – Irish Truck of the Year 2011 & Irish Haulier of the Year 2011. All of you represent what is best in the Irish Transport Industry and tonight is a night to recognise, celebrate and AWARD that excellence. It often strikes me that we view the fleet transport industry in the same way as flicking the switch and expecting the light to come on. We just expect it to work. We hardly ever think about it and how it operates, we just know that it delivers and we would be shocked if it didn’t – if our fuel, our bread, our newspapers or our fresh flowers were not delivered. Virtually all of the time, you as an industry just motor along in the background as it were, you are taken for granted really – so tonight is an opportunity to make your presence felt to showcase what is best in your industry to underline your intrinsic value to the economy and to the smooth functioning of society to emphasise your contribution to excellence in all of the areas where awards will be presented tonight and really gain recognition for what you do well and for your pursuit of high standards and reward those individuals and companies that achieve the highest standards in your business. Before I say a few words about your business, I would like first of all to say a few words about my business – or more accurately about OUR Business. We have certain interests in common – the achievement of good transport legislation and regulations. That of course is a complex process – from the proposals and drafting by the European Commission to the amending by the Parliament and finally to agreement of a common position between the Parliament and the Council of Transport Ministers. Of course even when legislation is fi nally agreed, we have the further hurdle of implementation, but that’s largely a matter for Members States with the Commission keeping a watchful eye. More and more your business is being impacted by legislation, everything from health and safety to CO2 emissions, from company law to internal market and competition rules, from working time regulations to the development of Trans European Networks. As a Member of the Parliament I am part of that system – just one little piece of the jigsaw – but every single piece must be in its place to complete the full picture – so OUR Business is important business – it’s important for both of us. Sometimes people say to me in amazement, do you go to Brussels every week and my reply is always the same – Yes I do, that’s where I do my work – however I always add that much of my work

is influenced by where I spend my weekends – at home in Ireland, meeting individuals, groups, informing myself on different issues and then connecting the two in Brussels. I do lots of different things in the Parliament, but the core of my work is influencing EU Legislation. I can do that in many ways – I won’t bore you with the details, but central to that is my ability like every other MEP to amend legislation and of course having amended it, to get agreement within my Committee, within my group and within the Parliament. I mentioned my Committee – among many in the European Parliament. My main Committee is Employment and Social Affairs, my sub Committee is Agriculture and Petitions. So I am not on the Transport Committee – yet I have actively been involved, one successfully and one unsuccessfully in 2 different pieces of legislation that affect the transport section.

Let me tell you briefly about both – first my small success – in highlighting the need for the fitting and retrofitting of blind spot mirrors. The second directly affects my Committee, Employment & Social Affairs – Directive 2002/15/EC on the organisation of the working time of persons performing mobile road transport activities. This particular Directive regulated working time for employed drivers and was designed to establish minimum requirements in relation to the organisation of working time in order to improve the health and safety, protection of persons performing mobile road transport activities to improve road safety and to align conditions of competition. This directive excluded self employed workers, but it did contain what we call a “sunset clause”, that self employed drivers would come in under this directive from March 2009. Fine – however in the meantime we had another piece of legislation in 2006 which regulated the driving time of all drivers, employed and self employed and the introduction of the digital tacograph was to ensure that driving time was strictly adhered to. In the meantime the Commission carried out a number of studies and concluded that because driving times were already regulated for self employed drivers, they would like to exclude

self employed from the working time regulation. Despite a proposal from the Commission to the effect the Parliament rejected their proposal that self employed drivers continue to be exempted from the Working Time Directive with 368 in favour, 301 against and 8 abstentions. The reasons for this were quite political, but also certain Member States voted not in line with their group, but with National preferences – In Ireland we were split. In my view this is bad legislation from a number of perspectives – Firstly – unenforceable, won’t go into details, but there are certain kinds of paperwork a self employed driver can do on top of his driving time hours and other types he can’t – for example, he can do up his tax accounts for last year but cannot fi ll out forms for customs and excise for the job he is on. Unless there is an inspector at his shoulder – who can tell. Secondly – first time the EU tries to regulate the working time of entrepreneurs, self employed owner drivers – that has major implications. Thirdly – no evidence on the issue of road safety as no information that deals with employed/self employed. Finally – known problems such as false self employed, now the legislation is in place. Recently in the Parliament the Transport Commissioner Sim Kallas was asked what action the Commission would take on the matter and he said they were setting about implementing the legislation – so it will come into force. However, while I believe that is poor legislation we do get right also and in July of this year the Parliament voted in favour of a new legal framework for Intelligent Transport Systems which can contribute significantly to a cleaner, safer and more efficient transport system across Europe using innovative transport technologies which would include travel information, navigation and Electronic Stability Control. I would like to make a final point about that I term OUR BUSINESS, because it is our business, it’s extremely important that you make it your business. You can do this by informing and lobbying your MEP’s. Individual hauliers and transport companies cannot do this but your National Organisations can do this – it’s very important to be well briefed. What I mean is, I was closely involved in debate on Working Time – my Committee Employment, BUT many issues going through Transport Committee I won’t be so familiar with. YES, I will get a briefing in my Group meeting, Yes I will get a briefing from the Irish Government, BUT a briefing from the different actors involved very useful and if an Irish Organisation/Body contact me I will listen – but need to be well briefed and know the detail of the legislation and the amendments. The better briefed you are the easier it is for me to understand. I have had many conversations with Jarlath Sweeney who is an expert in Transport field and he would alert me to certain issues, but that kind of two way interplay is really very important.

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOV 10 33

AWARDS

34 FLEETTRANSPORT | NOV 10

AWARDS

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOV 10 35

AWARDS

Pictured (l-r) Niall Hickey (Johnston Logistics), Goran Nyberg (Volvo Truck) and Jarlath Sweeney (Fleet Transport)

Pictured (l-r) David O'Gorman (Thermo King), Fiona O'Higgins (McGuinness Forwarding) and Jarlath Sweeney (Fleet Transport)

36 FLEETTRANSPORT | NOV 10

AWARDS

Pictured (l-r) Brendan Garry (MAN Importers Ireland), Aaron McAleenan (Elstrans) and Jarlath Sweeney (Fleet Transport)

Pictured (l-r) Fergus Conheady (Mercedes-Benz), Niall Cotton (BOC Gases Ireland) and Jarlath Sweeney (Fleet Transport) FLEETTRANSPORT | NOV 10 37

AWARDS

Pictured (l-r) Tony Scott (Nightline), Stephen Mullen (Sligo Haulage & Distribution) and Jarlath Sweeney (Fleet Transport)

Pictured (l-r) Govert Verfluis (Teleroute), Derek McGreal & Jim McGovern (Coldcut Logistics) and Jarlath Sweeney (Fleet Transport) 38 FLEETTRANSPORT | NOV 10

AWARDS

Pictured (l-r) Andrew Reynolds (Reynolds Logistics), Chris Fogarty (Johnston Logistics) and Jarlath Sweeney (Fleet Transport)

Pictured (l-r) Martin Covington (Michelin), Philip Scanlon (Celtic Linen) and Jarlath Sweeney (Fleet Transport) FLEETTRANSPORT | NOV 10 39

AWARDS

Pictured (l-r) Ken Murray (Castle Mechanical), Kieran Conlon (Transland Group) and Jarlath Sweeney (Fleet Transport)

Pictured (l-r) Richard Warbrick (Goodyear Dunlop Ireland), Graham O'Reilly (Stobart Ireland) and Jarlath Sweeney (Fleet Transport) 40 FLEETTRANSPORT | NOV 10

AWARDS

Pictured (l-r) Nigel Emms (Iveco), Damien Prendergast (Keelings Logistics) and Jarlath Sweeney (Fleet Transport)

Pictured (l-r) Deirdre Sinnott (Health & Safety Authority), Paul Murphy (Irish Commercials) and Jarlath Sweeney (Fleet Transport) FLEETTRANSPORT | NOV 10 41

AWARDS

You may not know that Howard chaired the Irish Transporters Consociate, which brought together five-haulier representative groups in Ireland into one. He was also Development Director for Institute of International Trade of Ireland specialising in Transport and Infrastructure issues. For his continuous contribution and dedication to the Irish Transport Industry, not to mention his infectious enthusiasm for all things logistics, Fleet Transport Magazine wishes to honour Howard Knott as winner of the Services to the Transport Industry Award 2011.

Pictured (l-r) Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport; Howard Knott and Mike Murphy (Sponsor)

ith over 30 years experience in managing freight and shipping companies, there is little that Howard does not know about the transport Industry. Th row in his love for trains and yachting and you have a great all-rounder. Holder of an MA in Economics and Political Science and a good handle of the French language leave him with a

distinct advantage in one of his current roles with the Irish Exporters Association. He sees great potential of Intermodal transport in Ireland and avidly supports the completion of the Western Rail Corridor. As a contributor to a number of transport related publications and speaker at trade related seminars in Ireland and abroad, his contribution to the industry is enormous.

Diary Date Fleet Transport Awards 2012 rd Monday 3 October 2011

BOXED IN BY INCREASING DIESEL PRICES? Increase profit by reducing diesel, electricity and gas usage. Use our proven structured approach to transport fuel management. Up to 10% saving in L/100km or kWh/m2, over 12 months, from low and no cost actions by your managers and drivers. On SEAI panel of independent advisors and trainers since 2007, call Authentic for: Independent Advice & Energy Audits Transport EnergyMAP workshops Grant applications & savings verification One-to-one ECOdrive training Call 01 230 5018 5108 WWW.AUTHENTIC.IE

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOV 10