asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that holders of merchandise licences under the Road Traffic Act, 1932, are limited to carrying a maximum load of two and a quarter tons; if he is further aware that all new lorries put on the road by Córas Iompair Éireann have a capacity of five tons, and that, owing to the larger capacity of their lorries, Córas Iompair Eireann are in a position to quote cheaper rates than merchandise licence holders in areas served by both, to the prejudice of the latter; and whether he will, in the circumstances, introduce legislation to enable the merchandise licence holders to carry increased tonnage.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport of Goods by Lorry.
The first provisions for the issue of merchandise licences are contained in the Road Transport Act, 1933. This Act provided for the issue of licences to existing carriers and limited the unladen weight of vehicles but imposed no conditions on carrying capacity. The maximum unladen weight fixed for each licence was based on the unladen weight of vehicles used by hauliers prior to the introduction of the licensing scheme. Increases were allowed in the unladen weight of vehicles operated by licensed hauliers in accordance with the terms of the Road Transport Acts, 1934 and 1935, and the Transport Act, 1944.
I am informed that most of the lorries recently purchased by Córas Iompair Eireann have an unladen weight of about two and a half tons. It is not proposed to introduce legislation for the purpose suggested by the Deputy.