Speeches: Bertil Dahlin

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Speeches

Mr Bertil Dahlin President of the Goods Transport Liaison Committee with the EU (CLTM), IRU.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends and colleagues,

Let me start by saying that through the organisation of this seminar, the IRU Academy has achieved its goal by bringing together public and private partners, including government officials, industry representatives, training providers, international bodies and IRU members to the benefit of all.

Ladies and gentlemen, let there be no doubt … the challenges that lie ahead for the proper implementation of the Digital Tachograph remain. However, by sharing vital information, as we did today, the preparedness or better, lack thereof, are identified and resolved, one step at the time. Moreover so, by sharing your experiences and by following the IRU slogan of working together for a better future, we avoid unnecessary problems through the hasty introduction of this new recording device.

Various speakers highlighted that the introduction of the Digital Tachograph through proper training is of the utmost importance. This was made available to you today and we sincerely thank Siemens VDO for this. Nonetheless, I would like to repeat the initial statement of the General Delegate of the IRU Permanent Delegation to the EU that not all parties are ready for the proper implementation of the Digital Tachograph. And this not only includes hardware and software, but also the Human Factor!

Ladies and gentlemen, the past has demonstrated to us, time and time again, that the introduction of any new legislation or road transport device, relies on people! And more importantly, those people must be properly trained to effectively implement the measures aimed with the introduction of this new device. For such training to be effective the legislation must be straightforward and final and, all parties ready for the implementation. That ladies and gentlemen is not the case today! That is why the IRU National Member Associations, represented by the IRU, will continue to express its dissatisfaction and disapproval about the situation and lack of certainty that exists today!

Soon the IRU Academy will launch its Dangerous Goods by Road, ADR Accreditation Programme. The main objective is to ensure that effective quality training is provided to all those involved in the ADR transport chain. Upon successful completion of an ADR class, a graduate will receive the IRU Academy ADR Certificate recognising the graduate's professional competence and training achievements in the subject.

Last but not least, allow me to say a few words of appreciation. I would like to thank all of our panellists for their contributions and for sharing with us their knowledge and expertise. Many thanks as well to our moderator, Mr Bruno Dingemans, Head of the IRU Academy.

I would also like to extend our thanks to the ERAA and Siemens VDO for their partnership in hosting this IRU Academy event and their extensive efforts over the past few months leading to today's fruitful event.

And Finally I would like to thank all of you for your valued contributions during the debates and on whom we count to become our true ambassadors in promoting and supporting the IRU Academy and its undertakings.

Now please permit me to give the floor to Mrs Aype Durmaz who, on behalf of UND, our Turkish IRU Member, would like to invite us to the next IRU Academy Seminar on Professional Driver Training and EU Directive 2003/59 to take place in the beautiful city of Istanbul.

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