Minister Canney welcomes key EU Transport agreements to advance road safety and support decarbonisation
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From: Department of Transport
- Published on: 4 December 2025
- Last updated on: 4 December 2025
Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, attended the EU Transport Council meeting in Brussels today. He welcomed Council agreement on two major legislative initiatives: the Weights and Dimensions Directive and the Roadworthiness Package.
“From an Irish perspective, I welcome adoption of both the draft Directive of Weights and Dimensions and the Roadworthiness Package by Ministers at the Transport Council today. Both of these distinct measures play a key role in reducing vehicle emissions and improving road and vehicle safety. The draft Weights and Dimension Directive will help to decarbonise Ireland’s road haulage sector by incentivising the uptake of Zero Emission Heavy Duty Vehicles, thanks to some increased weight allowances for these vehicles, while maintaining a maximum axle weight of 11.5 tonnes – a crucial road safety and road infrastructure priority. The Roadworthiness Package addresses the advances in vehicle technologies and incorporates these changes to better protect the health and safety of citizens in Ireland and across the EU.”
Minister of State, Seán Canney
The revised Weights and Dimensions Directive sets out maximum authorised weights and dimensions for heavy-duty vehicles that move on EU roads. It clarifies cross-border rules for all heavier and longer vehicles, where permitted nationally. Notably, it promotes the use of zero-emission trucks by allowing them to exceed standard weight limits, supporting the decarbonisation of transport across the European Union.
The Roadworthiness Package consists of two legislative proposals to enhance road safety and environmental protection. It introduces updated measures to better protect citizens from odometer fraud, and mandates more frequent testing and enhanced screening of high-emitting vehicles by using remote sensing technology.
Other items addressed at the Transport Council included substantive discussion among Ministers on the new Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) proposal for 2028 to 2034. Once agreed, this will continue to fund key infrastructure projects across the TEN-T network – benefitting Ireland’s ports and railways.
This was the last meeting of the Transport Council under the Danish Presidency. The EU Presidency will pass to Cyprus from January to June 2026, and then to Ireland from July to December. In 2027, it will pass to Greece and then to Lithuania.
As part of Ireland’s preparations for our EU Presidency, Minister Canney held bilateral meetings with counterparts from Cyprus, Greece and Lithuania. Minister Canney also met with Ministers from a range of other Member States, and Irish Members of the European Parliament.
“I congratulate Minister Danielsen and the Danish Presidency for its work chairing Council meetings and progressing transport files over the past six months. I wish Cyprus the very best as they prepare to assume the Presidency. Ireland stands ready to offer its full support to Cyprus during their term.”
“As Ireland readies itself for our own EU Presidency, I very much look forward to taking on the chairing of Transport Council this time next year. The bilateral meetings we held today are vital for strengthening our relationships across Europe and ensuring that Ireland is well-prepared to take on the responsibilities of the Council Presidency. I am grateful for the constructive dialogue with my European colleagues and look forward to continued collaboration as we work together to advance shared priorities in the transport sector.”
Minister of State, Seán Canney