Red Tape Affecting Hauliers

The current system for hauliers in this country wherby they have to inform every council on a specific route when they are transporting a heavy load is costing them money and is putting them at a disadvantage compared to their counterparts in the UK. For instance the situation here is that if a haulier is transporting a heavy load of concrete (or anything else) from Galway to Dublin they have to inform seven different councils. Not alone that, but there is a huge amount of detail and red tape required with this and the councils require four days notice. In addition, councils here are charging up to 500 Euro each for heavy load licences which could cost hauliers thousands of Euro per annum. In the UK hauliers can drive the length of the country with a heavy load permit which costs 20 sterling per month. We have a huge export business for products like concrete and other goods and Minister Donohue should review this situation immediately. The situation as it stands cannot be allowed to continue.