Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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205. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the six-month backlog to have the trailer adjustment work undertaken, if he will extend the implementation date by six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47337/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 sets the maximum height limit of vehicles in this country at 4.65 metres.  

Following public consultation undertaken prior to the completion of the Regulations, the intention to introduce a 4.65m limit was announced in January 2007. Following representations from the industry, it was agreed that a five year derogation from that limit would apply to vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to 1 November 2008. The derogation was introduced to allow a five-year period within which vehicles operating at heights in excess of the new limits could be withdrawn from use in Ireland or to allow for the necessary height reductions by operators. This derogation expired on 31 October 2013.

While I appreciate that there are delays in having these adjustment works implemented, this is primarily a function of some operators not having availed of the considerable latitude and notice they have been given and only seeking to update their fleet in the last number of months rather than having such work carried out in good time.