Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 57: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support maintaining the current trailer height limit of 4.65 m for trailers registered here in view of European Commission proposals to introduce a European-wide height limit of 4 m; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18901/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Directive 96/53/EC, as amended, sets the maximum weights and dimensions for national and international traffic. Under Directive 96/53/EC Ireland has set a national height limit of 4.65 metres for national transport and this will remain in place. Also, as the UK has no height restriction for national traffic the current practice of vehicle movement between both States using higher trailers can continue.

However, I understand that there are discussions in the European Commission regarding the type-approval requirements for vehicles entering into service. Directive 97/27/EC sets the type-approval requirements with regard to masses and dimensions of vehicles. There are proposals for an amendment to this Directive which would add some restrictions for trailers that exceed 4.0 metres in height. Under the current wording of the proposal under consideration, the height limit can only exceed 4.0 metres if the vehicle is "intended for exceptional load transport". The inclusion of this clause would make it more difficult for manufacturers and hauliers to bring new trailers into the national fleet that will be used for normal goods transport whilst availing of the maximum national height limit of 4.65 metres.

Due to our geographic location and our dependence on road infrastructure for the haulage of goods and to maintain the free movement of higher vehicles between Ireland and the UK, Ireland will work to ensure that any proposals which could restrict the height of new trailers entering the fleet below our national height limits are opposed. Ireland is attending the committee sub group meetings where the text of the proposal is being discussed, and we will strive to ensure the continued ability for higher trailers to be easily type approved and enter the national fleet.