Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
1372. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he has taken since committing at the recent Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport meeting to review the 42 tonne, 5 axle derogation. [35836/17]
View answerTo allow the haulage industry renew their then fleets, a derogation allowing an increase in the gross weight of 5-axle articulated vehicles (2-axle tractor unit towing a 3-axle trailer) from 40 tonnes to 42 tonnes was conceded by the then Minister in 2003, to end in 2008. Subsequently, this deadline was extended seven times as a further concession to the industry to move to more road-friendly articulated vehicle combinations, such as the 6-axle articulated (3+3) combination, which I understand can operate up to a maximum 46 tonne weight limit.
Given the ongoing challenges in maintaining our critical roads infrastructure with constrained resources, the derogation was ended on 30 June 2016. This was necessary to permit a decrease in road and bridge infrastructure damage caused by such vehicles and to thereby reduce the costs to the public finances in terms of maintaining and repairing vital road and bridge infrastructure.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I must have regard to the overarching need to maintain national transport infrastructure in as cost effective manner as possible. It is primarily for this reason, as well as the extensive 13-year period given to the industry to adjust, that the previously existing derogation has not been renewed. While my Department and I obviously review our legislation on a regular basis, I do not believe that the position today has changed materially so as to cause me to reconsider this necessary measure to protect our roads.
