Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My understanding from Irish Rail is that the vast majority of bridge strikes are due to oversized construction transport, rather than point-to-point transport. I ask the Minister to do one thing which, if possible, would assist everyone in this situation. Currently, if someone is transporting something that is oversized, let us say from Rosslare to Ballinasloe, one must go through seven local authorities and obtain seven separate permits. Can a streamlined application system be put in place, with a uniform fee, whereby one permit could be obtained for all the relevant local authorities?

For example, one can get an annual licence to go through County Offaly for €300, but the same licence in County Waterford would cost €117,000. There is a major inconsistency in that regard. At the very least, the Minister should examine this matter and replicate the UK's uniform application system which is far more effective.

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