Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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6. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will implement the recommendation of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications to introduce a point to point licence for oversized HGVs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54131/13]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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The ban on oversized HGVs has huge implications for the agriculture sector. For example, it reduces the capacity for live exports by one fifth and the transport of fodder from the south east of the country to the west by approximately one third. It also increases vehicle movements on many substandard national secondary roads by up to 70%. I would like the Minister to review this issue.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 set the maximum height limit of vehicles at 4.65 m.  This maximum height limit was decided following a public consultation process undertaken in 2005.  Originally, it was proposed that there be a two year derogation to allow for vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to the introduction of the new limit to be withdrawn. Subsequently, following representations from the haulage industry, it was agreed that a five year derogation or wash-out period would apply.  The regulations were signed on 14 September 2008 and came into force on 1 November that year. The derogation expired on 31 October 2013.

There is already an abnormal load permit scheme in place operated by the local authorities which allows vehicles that exceed statutory dimensions to operate in exceptional circumstances.  The abnormal load permit scheme is not meant as an alternative to complying with existing vehicular mass and dimensions legislative requirements.  Any attempt to undermine the intent of the scheme would result in those operators who are compliant with vehicle heights legislation being at a competitive disadvantage, while those that do not comply would benefit. On a broader point, it would send the message that regulations set in transport matters are not serious and subject to change on foot of last minute lobbying. This would incentivise non-compliance. This would only serves to create greater confusion in the industry in the long term and make investment decisions within the transport industry much riskier.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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The Minister will be aware that there are flexibilities in the transport rules for the agriculture sector. Is he aware, as I know his colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring is, of a company in County Mayo, McHale, which produces balers? Because that company produces bales that are 6 in. bigger than the standard 4 ft bale, it is not possible because of transport rules for it to transport three rows of bales from the south east to the west. There is no tunnel restriction on this route. If this rule continues to apply, McHale's will not be used by people in that part of the country because it will not be able to transport the bales across country. Will the Minister, in the context of this and the live export issue, review the rules and introduce a point-to-point system for these categories?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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This law was introduced in 2008 and companies were given five years to comply with it. It is not a case of whether it is applied - it has been the law for several weeks now and I assume that it is being applied. I am not aware of the company that the Deputy specifically mentioned, but I am aware of other companies that say they can carry bales three-high in their vehicles because they have a lower trailer and have adjusted the wheels and tyres accordingly. They have complied with the legislation and can load bales three-high. There is an interesting letter in the Irish Farmers' Journal from a company in Carlow specifying that it can do that because it did comply with legislation and was prepared to do so.

The reason for this is not tunnels. Most of these vehicles do not go through tunnels and there are only three tunnels anyway. The reason is bridge strikes of which there have been 1,200 in recent years. Only two weeks ago, trains to and from Galway were stopped for an hour because a vehicle hit a bridge. Only last week, we had a bridge strike in Clontarf. Anytime a large vehicle hits a bridge, trains have to be stopped and Irish Rail has to investigate to ensure it is safe.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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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.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I will certainly examine that matter. I can see the Deputy's point that it is onerous if somebody with an abnormal load must go to seven or eight local authorities to obtain permits, particularly if the rules are different in each local authority. It is important to bear in mind, however, that the abnormal load permit scheme is in place for very large, wide or unusual exceptions, such as a wind turbine or generator. The scheme is not something that should be used for regular loads.