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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Mar 1974

Vol. 270 No. 14

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - PSV Inspection.

87.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider introducing legislation to provide for the inspection of public service vehicles operated by statutory transport undertakings by duly appointed Garda Síochána PSV Inspectors.

I see no reason to revise the relevant regulations whereby large public service vehicles owned or operated by statutory transport undertakings are outside the scope of the licensing and consequential inspection system for public service vehicles. The Deputy will be aware, of course, that such vehicles continue to be subject to other inspection controls under the Road Traffic Acts.

In view of the fact that these vehicles are not being kept according to the regulations laid down by the Department of Local Government, would the Minister not think that the law should be changed and that there should be a reversion to the situation whereby they came under the Carriage Department? I was prompted to put down this question when travelling recently on buses of the Dublin city service, and I can assure the Minister that they did not conform to the regulations. In view also of the fact that harmonisation under the EEC will be effective in 1975, surely something should be done. If the law is not going to be changed, the Department should insist that CIE keep their vehicles in roadworthy condition. People's lives are at stake and some of the vehicles I have travelled in are not fit to be on the road.

I would like to be helpful to Deputy Kenneally, but if he has a specific complaint which he can put before me I shall be only too glad to give it the fullest consideration.

The Minister does not have to worry about the bus any more?

Like the Deputy, for a while.

Only for a while.

I do not expect to live forever.

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