New restrictions on the use of public roads by tractors, JCBs and other agricultural and works vehicles could be introduced here once a review of "best practice" is completed for the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
In a move welcomed by representatives of licensed road hauliers, the authority is seeking tenders for a review of the use of such vehicles on Irish roads.
Under current laws, individuals as young as 16 can get a farm vehicle licence which allows them to drive tractors and JCB "fastrack" vehicles on public roads, regardless of the type of load they are pulling.
According to the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), the use of public roads by tractors and other agricultural and works vehicles to transport non-agricultural material has been a "festering sore" for many years.
Jimmy Quinn, spokesman for the IRHA, said there were significant road safety implications as a result of these vehicles - which are not subject to annual safety checks - transporting large loads.
Typical examples include tractors pulling material from quarries to construction sites as well as the movement of heavy-duty plant machinery.
Mr Quinn claimed that the practice of using such vehicles, rather than licensed hauliers, was widespread. This he added is particularly so in rural areas, with county councils being "major culprits". Any move to limit the use of such vehicles could have financial implications for those involved in what is largely an informal trade, as well as for the organisations which contract them.
Mr Quinn said that his members were suffering financially as a result of the existence of a "loophole" covering this area, as agricultural vehicles require few safety checks, can avail of far cheaper road tax and can be run on cheaper agricultural fuel.
He added: "I would hope this review would define the use for which these vehicles are being put and bring Ireland into line with every other EU nation."
Noel Brett, chief executive of the RSA, confirmed that it had placed the tender on the Government's e-tenders website in recent weeks and said that the RSA was seeking to source external engineering expertise to assist the authority in compiling the review.
He pointed out that nothing was "ruled in or out at this stage" and called on all interested parties to contribute to a public consultation process which will accompany the report.