Super truck ban has no effect here, says Ahern

THE Government yesterday said an EU court ruling overturning a ban on so-called super trucks would have absolutely no repercussions for Ireland.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the Department of Transport said the ban that had been in place in Tyrol applied to the weight of vehicles and not to their height.

As such, said the Taoiseach, the ruling would have no implications for the Dublin Port Tunnel. If it had, its height and width would have to be increased to accommodate the super trucks.

EU regulations allow impose maximum weight restrictions on lorries at 44 tonnes. It found that rules imposed by the regional government in Austrian Tyrol were overly restrictive. Trucks of more than 7.5 tonnes were banned on a stretch of main road linking Germany and Italy through the Austrian Tyrol.

Mr Ahern said the judgment was one that had nothing to do with height: “This has no relevance at all here, it can’t pass over. Local authorities and the authorities can pick the height so it doesn’t affect us - that’s a wrong interpretation of it.”

The Taoiseach is a strong opponent of super trucks being allowed in Ireland. He has previously said they are not needed and should be turned back.

Super trucks are almost five metres in height and will not be able to pass through the Port Tunnel when it is completed - its maximum height limit is 4.65 metres.

The Department of Transport also pointed out yesterday that many countries in Europe favour restrictions of four metres and added that no country allows trucks of more than five metres.

The exceptions were countries that have yet to impose maximum height restrictions. Ireland is one of those countries though Minister of State Ivor Callely is expected to announce a limit (of under 4.65 metres) in the near future.

However, the Irish Road Hauliers Association welcomed the decision of the Court of Justice. Spokesman Jimmy Quinn questioned the stance adopted by the Taoiseach and Deparment of Transport.

“There is a lack of tolerance around these vehicles, which is seriously worrying as Ireland is the most dependent of EU countries on road transport.”

Mr Quinn described the Austrian ruling as a victory for common-sense, and said the association would fight any ban on the use of super trucks in Ireland.

The Labour Party’s spokesperson on transport, Róisín Shortall, yesterday echoed the position adopted by the Government, though she criticised its lack of urgency in imposing a ban.

“There are compelling environmental, social and safety reasons for imposing restrictions on these trucks and I have no doubt that regulations imposing restrictions on them could be drawn up that would not conflict with European law,” she said.

Once the Port Tunnel is open all trucks will be banned from the city centre from 7am to 7pm. However, because there are no regulations governing height, super trucks will be allowed use alternative routes.