Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Transport if new guidelines have been issued to local authorities in relation to trailers (details supplied); their road worthiness, and so on; the procedures which will be in place as there is no testing place for this machinery here; the way in which he will resolve this problem whereby the persons who were providing these services to local authorities will not be able to do so after the next couple of weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26103/05]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Under road traffic law, the use on public roads of tractors and trailers which are designed primarily for use on the land is not permitted other than when incidental to such work on the land. For this reason, agricultural tractors and trailers are not liable to roadworthiness testing. In March 2005 my Department wrote to local authorities concerning the use, in a local authority context, of agricultural type tractors and trailers for the carrying of goods or burden of any description and outlining the necessity for hauliers engaged by local authorities to hold a road freight carrier's licence if hauling for hire and reward.

Periodic roadworthiness testing applies to goods vehicles, goods trailers over 3,500 kg gross design weight, buses, ambulances and passenger cars. The roadworthiness testing of commercial vehicles, including goods trailers, is carried out by authorised testers, usually private garages, appointed by city and county councils in accordance with the European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations 2004. There are in excess of 100 such testers in the country.