Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
318. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if there is any requirement or monitoring whether the vehicles used by roads and other construction companies are registered in Ireland and conform to European standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70913/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra319. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport in relation to vehicles hired by equipment hire companies, if there is any obligation that those vehicles are registered in Ireland, taxed in Ireland and subject to Irish regulations and standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70914/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 319 together.
As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that vehicles used by roads and other construction companies in the course of their work fall within the remit of the EU Machinery Directive - Directive 2006/42/EC. This Directive has been transposed by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, which has appointed the HSA as Market Surveillance Authority for these vehicles.
The Directive sets standards and requirements for these vehicles in the course of their intended operation but does not impose specific requirements for their use on public roads. Questions regarding current standards for these vehicles should be directed to the HSA and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
At present, the Revenue Commissioners are not obliged to register these vehicle types, as they are not covered by EU Vehicle Type-Approval. Where Revenue do register these vehicles, it is on the basis of compliance with Directive 2006/42/EC. Once registered, they may be motor-taxed and insured as appropriate.
However, the EU has published new vehicle type-approval regulations to govern certain non-road mobile machinery. Regulation 2025/14 specifically addresses self-propelled mobile machinery, falling within the scope of Directive 2006/42/EC. These machines are designed or constructed with the purpose of performing work (non-road mobile machinery), and may need, whether occasionally or regularly, to circulate on public roads, mostly to move from one working place to another. This regulation will establish a harmonised type-approval system and an individual approval system for the road safety of non-road mobile machinery intended to circulate on public roads.
This new regulation was enacted in January 2025 and is required to be operational in member states by January 2028. The Department are currently developing plans for appointing a market surveillance authority in respect of these vehicles and are preparing the necessary legislative amendments to accommodate these specific vehicles in road traffic legislation and to comply with the requirements of Regulation 2025/14.
It should be noted that this new regulation does not negate the requirements of Directive 2006/42/EC, and machinery intended for public road use will be required to comply with both directives. However, from January 2028, the Revenue Commissioners will only register machinery which comply with Regulation 2025/14, and will not register those vehicles that only comply with Directive 2006/42/EC. Machinery that is intended to be used on public roads will be required to be registered.
New machinery that does not comply with Regulation 2025/14 after January 2028 will be permitted to be used in the course of its intended work, but will not be permitted to be used on public roads. Existing machinery already in use will not be required to comply with Regulation 2025/14.
