Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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225. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he intends to vary the maximum height that may be carried on a truck to facilitate the carrying of slightly higher loads of straw and hay; particularly taking into account the present regulations cut by a third the amount of round bales of straw that may be carried on a lorry, that an increase in height of 10 cm would facilitate an extra row of straw on lorries, and the cost of transport of straw; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4735/14]

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. These regulations were signed into law on the 1st of November 2008 by my predecessor, Minister Noel Dempsey.

These regulations allowed a five year derogation from that limit for vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to 1 November 2008. This derogation expired on the 31st October last.

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 am giving further consideration.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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226. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with regard to maximum load heights, his plans to make an exemption in cases where fodder is imported into the county on a continuous basis as the contractors who haul this fodder will have to increase the costs if the height of their loads is reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4745/14]

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. These regulations were signed into law on the 1st of November 2008 by my predecessor, Minister Noel Dempsey.

These regulations allowed a five year derogation from that limit for vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to 1 November 2008. This derogation expired on the 31st October last.

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 am giving further consideration.