Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 7

Written Answers. - Weighbridge Facilities.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

320 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to difficulties experienced by gardaí in Dublin in policing a three ton limit for heavy goods vehicles in residential areas in view of the requirement, in the event of the gardaí needing to verify the weight of these vehicles, to do so within five kilometres of where the vehicles have stopped and yet there are no suitable weighbridges outside the dock area of the city; the proposals, if any, he has to address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15251/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, apart from the weighbridge situated in Alexandra Road, Irishtown in the Dublin Port Authority area, the following weighbridges are available and authorised for use by the Garda in the Dublin Area: Rathcoole, in the the South Dublin County Council area; Lissenhall, in Fingal County Council area; and Smithfield, in Dublin Corporation area.

Access to these weighbridges means that gardaí can take prosecutions where offences are detected and evidence of weight is a requirement. Where offences in breach of the weight restrictions are detected appropriate action is taken by the gardaí.