Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 774: To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department will consider issuing permits from point to point for the movement of large construction equipment; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by contractors going about their daily business; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that there are varying rules, regulations and charges applying to the permits from each local authority; his views on whether one permit per journey is sufficient and where traffic disruption is not an issue permits should be issue for a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24549/05]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 778: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will streamline the permit system in operation for the movement of large construction equipment through local authority areas and obviate the need for the multiple applications to local authorities operating differing rules and regulations. [24653/05]

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 781: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to streamline the regulations concerning the issuing of permits to contractors for the movement of large construction equipment on public roads; if this matter will be dealt with nationally rather than the present situation which necessitates contractors applying to each local authority where the machinery moves through; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24776/05]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 824: To ask the Minister for Transport the action he is taking to address the excessive bureaucracy and inconsistent approaches of local authorities with regard to the permit system for the movement of large equipment; and the steps he will take to reform the current system and introduce a standardised country-wide permit scheme. [25934/05]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 774, 778, 781 and 824 together.

All vehicles using public roads are required by law to comply with a range of standards in respect of their construction, equipment, use, weights and dimensions. The requirements are set out in the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2002 and the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 to 2004. These regulations apply in the interests of public safety and to protect road infrastructure.

Regulation 59 of the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 provides for the issuing of special permits by local authorities for the use of vehicles on roads notwithstanding that they contravene certain provisions of the aforementioned regulations. Specifically, the special permit system is intended to deal with vehicles carrying abnormal and indivisible loads. The function is assigned to local authorities because they are best placed to assess the suitability of the roads in their functional areas for use by non-compliant vehicles and to determine the appropriate routes and itineraries to be used in the making of journeys by such vehicles. A special permit issued by a local authority may cover one or more vehicles and have a validity of up to 12 months duration. I have no plans for my Department to take on the function of issuing special permits.

I am aware of the dissatisfaction of some haulage contractors concerning the existing arrangements for the issue of special permits, particularly in connection with journeys conducted on a regular basis involving wide and long loads. My Department is currently reviewing the special permit system with a view to identifying ways to streamline the process relating to the transport of wide and long loads and to introducing, as far as is possible, the application of uniform practices by local authorities in the administration of the special permit system generally.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 775: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether Ireland should follow the example of other countries and allow cyclists to use footpaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24556/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 to 2004 establish the statutory basis for the segregation of pedestrians and traffic using public roads.

Under those regulations local authorities may provide cycle tracks for the use of cyclists where they deem such facilities to be necessary or appropriate. Local authorities may also provide such facilities as segregated parts of footways. I do not have any proposals to amend the current restrictions on the use of footway, other than segregated cycle tracks as described, by vehicles, including cycles.