Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2006
91 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether there is a need to make blind-spot mirrors compulsory on all heavy goods vehicles irrespective of age; when this will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9114/06]
View answer372 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to enforce the installation of extra cyclopes mirrors on heavy goods vehicles; and the means and timetable for the introduction of such a regulation. [9218/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 372 together.
Directive 2003/97 lays down new standards for the type approval of certain categories of vehicles, particularly lorries, in relation to the field of vision of drivers and requires that all new vehicles meet the new standards from 26 January 2007.
Directive 2003/97 was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Mechanically Propelled Vehicles Entry Into Service) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2004 as regards type approval and entry into service of vehicles.
In April 2005, the Irish Road Haulage Association, IRHA, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, SIMI, and the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, IBEC, were requested to consider advising their members to retrofit vehicles with blind spot mirrors or indirect vision devices. The SIMI was also asked that, in advance of the 26 January 2007 deadline for new vehicles, all new HGVs being put on the market meet the higher standards required by Directive 2003/97/EC.
The IRHA responded positively indicating that for the past number of years it has actively encouraged its members to fit convex mirrors to their vehicles and to request these when acquiring new vehicles. The SIMI has informed me that it has received a very positive response from vehicle distributors to the request for early implementation of Directive 2003/97/EC and it anticipates that by the end of March 2006 up to 80% of new vehicles of the relevant categories will meet the requirements of the directive.
92 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the excessive delay in reintroducing height restrictions for heavy goods vehicles in view of the fact that these were promised three years ago and it was stated that this is Government policy; and if he will make a statement on the proposed timescale for these regulations. [9053/06]
View answer158 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has decided to implement a height limit on goods vehicles; when this policy will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9088/06]
View answer389 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the position in regard to the banning of super-trucks; if the European Commission has sanctioned the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9456/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 158 and 389 together.
EU law on maximum weights and dimensions for vehicles is set out in Directive 96/53/EC. Under that directive, which has been fully implemented by Ireland, a member state may not prohibit the use, in its territory, of vehicles from another member state which comply with the authorised maximum weight and dimension limits set down in the directive.
The directive specifies 4 m as the limit value for vehicle height. Consequently, provided a vehicle registered in a member state is 4 m or less in height, every member state must permit that vehicle to operate on its territory. A member state may, however, prescribe a higher limit on its territory.
Ireland does not impose any height limit on goods vehicles at present but the question of whether to prescribe such a limit is currently being examined in my Department. That examination includes consideration of the submissions received from interested parties in response to public consultation on the subject. I intend to make a decision on the matter shortly. In the event that it is decided to introduce a statutory height restriction for goods vehicles, it will be necessary to submit the draft regulations to the European Commission for consideration and for referral to other member states in accordance with the Technical Standards and Regulations Directive (Directive 98/34).
As regards the Dublin Port tunnel, my officials are liaising with the other stakeholders principally Dublin City Council, the NRA and Dublin Port to ensure that HGV traffic management arrangements, consequent upon the commissioning of the tunnel, achieve the maximum benefits for the city.
