Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 2

Written Answers. - Heavy Dumping Vehicles.

Bernard Allen

Question:

127 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his Department's policy in relation to heavy duty dumper trucks using public roads without permits from local authorities; when his Department last sent a circular to local authorities on the situation; the contents of the last circular sent in view of the fact that local authorities are stating that the control of heavy dumping vehicles is a matter for the Garda, the Garda is stating that it is a matter for his Department and the Construction Industry Federation state that local authorities are accepting road tax for these vehicles. [7292/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

128 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his Department will carry out a review on the safety of heavy duty dumpers using public roads. [7293/00]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 128 together.

Dumper trucks in excess of three cubic metres in capacity are not permitted to be used on a public road unless a permit under Article 17 of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963, has been issued by the relevant local authority. Enforcement is a matter for the Garda Síochána.

A circular letter, VF 1/95 – Permits for Off-Road Dumpers, was issued by my Department in September 1995, providing updated guidelines to local authorities regarding the granting of permits under Article 17. A copy of this circular has been placed in the Library.

There is no proposal at present to modify these arrangements.