Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has announced plans to tighten up the issuing of licences for truck drivers.
From 10 September, anyone who has received a serious criminal conviction within the previous five years could be banned from holding such licences.
The ban will apply to people who have been convicted of crimes such as murder, manslaughter, serious assault, drug trafficking, people trafficking, money laundering, sex and firearms offences.
As many as 20 road hauliers with criminal records may now be forced off the road when these new regulations come into force.
The new legislation follows the publication of the Farrelly Report, which deals with the issuing of road transport haulage operators licences by the Department of Transport.
The report deals with events surrounding the issuing of licences to Kieran Boylan, a convicted drug-dealer from Co Louth, in 2003 and 2008.
The Irish Road Haulage Association welcomed the introduction of stricter measures for the issuing of licences.
