Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 50: To ask the Minister for Transport if legislation exists that allows him, his Department, the National Roads Authority or any other authority to ban cars from the Dublin Port Tunnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17532/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Section 43 subsection (3) of the Roads Act 1993 provides that "the Minister may prescribe (a) the classes of vehicles which shall be permitted to use a motorway and different classes of vehicles may be prescribed in relation to motorways generally, particular motorways or particular parts of particular motorways, and (b) conditions in relation to the use of motorways generally, particular motorways or particular parts of particular motorways by vehicles or specified classes of vehicles (including conditions specifying the periods of use of motorways by specified classes of vehicles) and different conditions may be prescribed in relation to different motorways or different classes of vehicles".

The Roads Regulations 1994, made pursuant to the Roads Act, 1993, prescribe the vehicles which may use a motorway. In addition, Section 61 of the Roads Act, 1993 provides that a roads authority may, after consultation with the Garda Commissioner, make such by-laws as it considers expedient for the purposes of the operation of a toll road. Section 61(3) of the 1993 Act provides, inter alia, that such bye-laws may "specify the powers of the road authority and of any person authorised by it to operate and manage the toll road concerned in relation to users of a toll road and vehicles and the persons in charge of them".

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 51: To ask the Minister for Transport further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 320 of 9 November 2005, the definition of heavy goods vehicles in terms of weight, used to arrive at his estimate that an extra 2200 heavy goods vehicles will use the M50 and west-link bridge daily following the opening of the Port Tunnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17533/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The heavy goods vehicles referred to in question No. 320 of 9 November 2005 are 5-axle vehicles. The maximum weight for such vehicles is 40 or 42 tonnes, depending on vehicle type.