Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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397. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the recently introduced height restrictions with particular reference to the vital transportation of fodder and animal feed stocks across the State. [54893/13]

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 vehicle height limit at 4.65 metres. Following a public consultation undertaken prior to the completion of the Regulations, 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, which expired on the 31^st October last, was introduced in order to allow a five year period within which vehicles operating at heights in excess of the new statutory limit could be withdrawn from use in Ireland. Following the expiry of the derogation, specific concerns were raised with me by the agri sector in relation to the effect that the 4.65 metre maximum vehicle height restriction would have on the cost of transporting fodder. This is an issue to which I will give further consideration.