Road Safety.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 March 2004

Tuesday, 9 March 2004

Questions (270)

John Deasy

Question:

357 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Transport if he will give details of the local authorities who grant permits for the use of off-road dumpers and the number of permits granted in each local authority are in 2002 and 2003; if there are EU regulations prohibiting the use of these vehicles on the public road; and if he intends to introduce the need for certificates of road worthiness for these vehicles in line with his Department and NCT tests, in the interests of road safety. [7641/04]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Dr. McDaid)

All vehicles using public roads are required to comply with the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2002 and the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 unless they are covered by a special permit under regulation 59 of the 2003 regulations. There are no EU requirements specific to the use of such vehicles.

My Department has prepared draft guidelines to revise the existing guidelines used by local authorities to process applications for special permits for off-road dumpers. The draft guidelines provide, inter alia, that the granting of a special permit for an off-road dumper would be conditional on the issuing local authority being satisfied that the vehicle in question complies with certain critical safety criteria. The draft guidelines were circulated to local authorities and other interest parties for comment on 19 February 2004. Information regarding the number of special permits granted by local authorities for vehicles is not compiled by my Department.