asked the Minister for the Environment whether he will secure our derogation from the proposed EEC directive on common axle weights for trucks until our roads have been sufficiently improved to carry such traffic.

The recent proposals of the Commission of the EEC for a directive in this matter are at present the subject of discussions by member states. When this process has been completed, it will be for the Council of Ministers to consider the adoption of the terms of any proposals for a directive which may emerge. In the circumstances, the question of "derogation" is irrelevant at this stage.