Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 October 2022
90. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he or his Department have explored the possibility of securing an extension of the Ghyvelde Corridor exemption to Irish heavy goods vehicles given the significant increase in direct ferry crossings and haulage between Ireland and France post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48768/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics I regularly engage with the sectoral representative bodies. Most recently on 20 September 2022, I along with my officials in the Department of Transport, met with a delegation of the Irish Road Haulage Association (‘IRHA’) where the operational needs of Irish operators arriving into France on direct services from Ireland was raised by the IRHA.
I am aware that while there is a general weekend ban on truck driving in place in France, on the so-called ‘Corridor de Ghyvelde’ from Calais and Dunkirk, vehicles are permitted to travel on weekend days through France to Belgium and the Netherlands. I am informed that the IRHA is currently engaged with the French authorities in a request to have this corridor extended to allow for travel commencing from the French ports of Cherbourg and Le Havre also. This is a matter for French authorities to consider this request.
