Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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205. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set out the Irish and EU legislation regulating the use of heavy goods vehicles, HGVs, on Irish roads; whether all relevant EU legislation on this matter has been transposed; and to set out in summary form the principal provisions of this legislation and the sections of the legislation dealing with enforcement of HGV restrictions. [44594/24]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I have set out, in the table included, the EU and national legislation governing the use of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on our roads.

On local road restrictions, two main statutory instruments allow authorities to implement local restrictions on HGVs for certain roads.

The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 (I 182/1997), www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1997/si/182/made/en/print, restrict vehicles of certain types entering specified areas.

The Road Traffic (Control of Traffic) Regulations 2006 (SI 638/2006) www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2006/si/638/made/en/print allow road authorities to restrict or prohibit certain non-passenger vehicles, including HGVs, from entering specified roads during specified periods, such as the 5-axle HGV ban in operation in Dublin City and in a number of other locations.

Following engagement with An Garda Síochána and the local authority sector, my Department introduced regulations this year which make it a fixed charge notice offence for an HGV to enter a restricted area without a permit. This financial penalty will allow for more efficient enforcement of such restrictions and deter HGV drivers from entering restricted areas without permission.

Individual road authorities are best placed to assess local vehicle requirements, based on road safety or traffic management. My Department has no role in deciding where or in what circumstances HGV restrictions should apply.