Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegations here today and thank them for their excellent presentations. We must recognise that vintage vehicle enthusiasts are custodians and provide the modern generation with an important link to the past which comes at a very high personal cost to the owners. A great debt is owed to them and to the companies who have invested in the preservation and exhibition of commercial goods vehicles that were used in the past. The vehicles will be very evident and visible in the coming week and on St. Patrick's weekend in the parades. They will be a highlight for many people.

The delegations made a logical request which the Government should co-operate and comply with. The amendment suggested by Deputy Dooley is an immediate amendment to SI 347 of 2013 and includes goods vehicles first registered on or after 1 January 1980 and used only for social and domestic purposes; and goods trailers first registered on or after 1January 1980 and used only for social and domestic purposes. It allows for a similar testing frequency for post-1980 veteran trucks and trailers as per the regulations for motor caravans. That is section 6, SI 347 of 2013, and that was from the Irish Vintage Veteran Trucks Association. We need to adapt and implement the amendment in order to move it forward. It is a very small request in view of the importance of such vehicles.