Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013
1275. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of regulations governing the maximum height of any vehicle on roads with particular reference to HGVs, if he will accommodate vehicles drawing vital fodder stocks from time to time to the west of Ireland, which height is to the order of 5 m; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46414/13]
View answer1302. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the hardship that will accrue for farming and business interests if the maximum vehicle height is reduced to 4.65 meters; if he will extend the deadline beyond the set down date of 31 October; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47130/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1275 and 1302 together.
Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 sets the maximum height limit of vehicles in this country at 4.65 metres. The derogation was introduced to allow a five-year period within which vehicles operating at heights in excess of the new limits could be withdrawn from use in Ireland or to allow for the necessary height reductions by operators. The derogation expired on 31st October 2013.
This maximum height limit was arrived at following a public consultation process undertaken in 2005. Following this, it was announced in January 2007 that a limit of 4.65m would be introduced. Originally it was proposed that there be a two year derogation for vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to the introduction of such a limit. Subsequently, following representations from the haulage industry it was agreed that a five year dergoation would apply and this applies to those vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to the 1st November 2008, when Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 was signed into effect.
Extending this derogation would have the effect of penalising those operators who have adapted their fleet recognising that this derogation was coming to an end, and rewarding those that did not. It is more than six years since the 4.65m limit was announced and the industry has had more than adequate time to accomodate themselves to the new limit.
