asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider the use of weighbridges owned by private companies and individuals pending the completion of the new local authority weighbridges in the Dublin area in order to ensure fair and equal competition.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Private Weighbridges.
8.
The enforcement of the maximum vehicle weight provisions of the Road Traffic Act is primarily the responsibility of the Garda Síochána. The Garda can only use a weighbridge appointed under the Act and such appointment is legally a function of the local road authority.
I understand that the Garda have examined a number of privately owned weighbridges in the Dublin area but are unable to recommend their appointment. This is due to problems with the legal ownership of the weighbridges, and the poor quality of the equipment.
In accordance with a programme developed by my Department, a total of ten modern weighbridges are being provided by road authorities at strategic locations on national routes with the aid of 100 per cent grants from the Department. Five of these weighbridges are already operational and the remainder will be completed later this year. The new weighbridges will complement a total of 103 appointed weighbridges throughout the country, including five appointed weighbridges in the Dublin area, which may also be used for enforcement purposes. One of the basic aims is to ensure that all hauliers operate within the legal weight limits which would promote fair and equal competition.
Would the Minister state where the new 100 per cent grant weighbridges are located?
I suppose I would not get away with saying this information was in the form of a tabular statement? There are ten weighbridges: in Counties Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Limerick, Louth, Wicklow and Wexford. If the Deputy wants the precise locations, I can arrange to have them sent to him.
I was worried that the country as a whole was being served.
They would complement the 103 weighbridges which are at present in operation.