Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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778. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the penalties in place if a manufacturer produces a five axle 39 tonne vehicle after 1 March 2017; the law under which action be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11492/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​National statutory weight limits for vehicles are set out in the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations as amended. The Regulations contain the individual axle and bogey limits with which all vehicles (including five axle rigid vehicles) must comply. These Regulations currently do not specify a weight limit for rigid vehicles with five (or more) axles. The DTTAS are currently working with the RSA to amend current regulations to implement a National weight limit of 36 Tonne for five axle rigid vehicles. In that regard the previously announced date for implementation of this limit of 1st March 2017 has now been suspended until 1st October 2017. Individuals engaged in the supply of mechanically propelled vehicles have a legal responsibility to ensure that vehicles and their components comply with all applicable requirements set out in Road Traffic legislation, which includes the fitment of a weights and dimensions plate specifying the maximum permitted laden weight for the vehicle and individual axles. Therefore the plating of five (or more) axle rigid vehicles must be completed in accordance with the aforementioned limits whilst also taking into consideration the design specifications for the vehicle in question.

It is an offence to carry a load on a vehicle which would cause the manufacturer's design weights or the limits specified in our national legislation (i.e. the plated weights) to be exceeded. On conviction, courts can impose a class C fine (up to €2,500), a prison sentence or both on both the person who commits the offence and on the owner of the vehicle.