As the deputy knows, I am absolutely committed to do everything I can as Minister to ensure road safety. That is why I am determined that Ireland complies with latest EU directives on testing vehicles for their roadworthiness – not just because of our obligations under EU law. However, it is important that we do that in a practical and enforceable way.
At my invitation, representative bodies from the agriculture and forestry sector met with officials of my Department on 1 November to discuss their concerns about proposed regulations to comply with an EU directive regarding testing the roadworthiness of T5 tractors - that is, those which can exceed 40 km/hr in speed.
Arising out of the range of issues that were identified by the various bodies in terms of how the regulations might impact on their members’ farms and businesses, I have asked my officials to re-examine the text of the regulations. Subject to legal advice and further engagement with the sector, I intend to bring forward alternative proposals as a matter of urgency.
In the meantime, I am looking at means to ensure that the current text does not take effect with any unintended consequences.
Directive 2014/45/EU on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers, requires, from 20 May 2018, the mandatory periodic testing of tractors with a maximum design speed exceeding 40 km/h (category T5), and which are used mainly on the public road for commercial road haulage purposes. There is however, no requirement on Member States to introduce compulsory testing for T5 tractors when being used for agricultural, horticultural, forestry, farming or fishery purposes mainly on the terrain where such activity takes place.
T5 tractors owned/operated by farmers and agricultural contractors used solely for land based activities are entitled to an exemption from compulsory testing. In such cases the prime activity is land based (cutting silage, baling, spreading slurry etc.) and any haulage is incidental to the main activity – there is no distance limit in respect of the road journey that may be travelled in respect of such activities.
The RSA will be engaging with affected stakeholders to provide them with guidance in relation to the practical implementation of the new requirements prior to their introduction in May 2018.
