Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1721. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason his Department has removed the derogation that allowed five-axle articulated vehicles to operate at 42 tonnes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24381/16]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1743. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the Irish Road Haulage Association's call for his Department to reinstate a 42-tonne weight limit for five-axle 2 + 3 articulated vehicles; if he will make available the Transport Infrastructure Ireland report on this issue which it is claimed has not been made available to the road haulage industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24527/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1721 and 1743 together.

I refer the Deputies to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 765 of 12 July on the ending of the 42 tonne derogation for five axle articulated vehicles which outlines the reasons for the removal of the derogation.

I believe that Deputy Pringle is referring to the Roughan O'Donovan report "Weight limit for Motor Vehicles and Trailers in Ireland: Impact of an Increase in Vehicle Weight on Structures"commissioned by the NRA (now Transport Infrastructure Ireland) in 2011. I have been advised that the then President of the IRHA, Eoin Gavin, sent a 4 page commentary on the report, addressed to the then Minister for Transport, in December 2011, stating that the document had been received by the IRHA in the previous month.​