Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 November 2013
208. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the recent decision to lower the permitted height of loaded trailers; if his attention has been drawn to the concern in the farming community of the additional costs that will arise for the agricultural sector due to the necessity to transport product such as fodder which arises on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48710/13]
View answerStatutory 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.
Following public consultation undertaken prior to the completion of the Regulations, the intention to introduce a 4.65 metres limit was announced in January 2007. Following representations from the industry, it was agreed that a five year derogation from that limit would apply to vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to 1st November 2008. 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introduced to allow a five-year period within which vehicles operating at heights in excess of the new limits could be withdrawn from use in Ireland or to allow for the necessary height reductions by operators. This derogation expired on 31st October 2013 and, given the lead-in time that this height limit has had, extending the derogation would have the effect of penalising those who have adjusted their operations to ensure compliance with this well flagged law, while rewarding those that did not.
I am aware of the concerns of the farming community regarding this issue. However, I have also been made aware of the view that it is possible to accommodate previous loads with different types of trailers and tyres without exceeding the 4.65 metres limit.
