Vehicle Height Regulations.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Questions (803)

Denis Naughten

Question:

984 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport when he intends to introduce a new height restriction for HGVs; the economic and environmental evaluation performed to assess the impact of such a height restriction; the plans he has to allow a period of time, for vehicles above the proposed height restriction, to be filtered out of the system and the timescale envisaged; the mechanisms he plans to put in place to ensure that UK vehicles comply with the restriction; the discussions he has had with his UK and EU counterparts on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21641/04]

Written answers

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

I intend to publish shortly draft regulations providing for the reintroduction of a maximum height for vehicles and will be inviting the public and interested parties to make comments on them. To assist the public consultation process, I will be making available with the draft regulations a background paper which will outline the considerations of the various interests involved in this matter. The significant pertinent issues, such as the business context, rail safety, road safety, infrastructure protection, environmental considerations and the European context together with the transitional arrangements to apply, will be addressed in the background paper. The consultation period will provide an opportunity for all interested parties to make their views known to me before a final decision on this matter.

I have not had discussions with other member states in relation to this matter. This aspect will be addressed in the context of the EU-wide consultations which the European Commission will undertake when I notify it of my intention to make the regulations. This notification will be by way of a submission of a copy of the final draft of the regulations. I expect that the EU consultations will take some three to four months to complete.