31.—(1) The Department is hereby designated as the body responsible for granting European licences.
(2) The Department shall determine and publish the procedures for the granting of European licences and inform the Commission of those procedures.
(3) Subject to and in accordance with these Regulations, the Department shall grant a European licence to a railway undertaking if that undertaking—
(a)is established in Northern Ireland, and
(b)makes an application to the Department in accordance with the published procedures.
(4) Before granting or modifying a European licence the Department shall consult the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland.
(5) A European licence may authorise the provision of train services generally or be restricted to particular types of service specified in the licence.
(6) At any time after submitting the application the applicant shall submit such further information as the Department may reasonably require in connection with the application.
(7) The Department shall grant a European licence if, and only if, it is satisfied that the applicant will be able at any time to satisfy the requirements referred to in Schedule 4 as to good repute, financial fitness, professional competence and insurance cover for civil liberties.
(8) An application for a European licence shall be determined by the Department as soon as possible and in any event within three months of receipt of the information referred to in paragraph (6).
(9) In respect of each application for a European licence the Department shall give notice stating—
(a)that the applicant has made an application for a European licence;
(b)the name of the applicant and the address of its registered or principal office; and
(c)a summary of the activities which the applicant wishes to carry out pursuant to the European licence.
(10) A notice under paragraph (9) shall be given by publishing the notice in such manner as the Department considers appropriate for bringing it to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the grant of the European licence.
(11) The Department shall inform the applicant in writing of its decision and, where it refuses to grant a European licence, the refusal shall state the reasons for its decision.
(12) When the Department grants a European licence in accordance with this regulation it shall inform the European Commission of the grant.
(13) As soon as practical after granting a European licence the Department shall send a copy of the licence to the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland.
(14) Any sums received by the Department under this regulation shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.
(15) Schedule 4 (qualifications for European licence) shall have effect.