The application deadline for an ECMT permit ends tomorrow, but the Road Haulage Association say that doubts remain as to whether Northern Irish hauliers will need the permits to transport goods to the Republic of Ireland.
Although the UK Government stated clearly in October that Northern Irish hauliers wouldn’t need an ECMT permit to carry out transportation to the Republic of Ireland after Brexit, the Road Safety Authority in Ireland, on the contrary, states there is no agreement currently in place for this to be permitted.
The Road Haulage Association has thus taken steps to provide clarity on this question; policy manager John Martin has written to the Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon, Economy Minister Diane Dodds and the Executive Office in NI.
The letters seek to raise concerns the sector have regarding the impact mandatory ECMT permits would have on the Northern Ireland transport sector and the economy within Northern Ireland.
If it transpires ECMT permits are required for haulage from Northern Ireland to Ireland, DVSA/Dft will have to re-open the application process for NI hauliers given that the advice they provided transpired to be incorrect” – John Martin adds.
Do Northern Irish hauliers need ECMT permits to transport goods to or through Ireland is the big question? DVSA say no and the Irish Road Safety Authority says that this is still not agreed! Friday 20th Nov is the deadline for ECMT applications! https://t.co/ydyzyMrMM9
— John Martin (@RHAJohnMartin) November 18, 2020
As the deadline for applying an ECMT permit is 20 November, Northern Irish hauliers could face significant issues if the permits are mandatory.
Photo credit David Dixon / Geograph Ireland