asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the measures that exist in Ireland to control the marking, sale and fitting of downgraded car tyres having regard to the reply of the Commission of the European Communities to written question No. 384/74.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Downgraded Car Tyres.
54.
There is not as yet any statutory measure in existence in Ireland to control the marking, sale and fitting of motor car tyres. There is no information that downgraded car tyres are on sale or are being fitted to motor cars in this country nor do I know of complaints in this regard. The bulk of tyres on the Irish market, whether they are fitted to new cars coming on the market or supplied separately for fitting, are made by leading manufacturers and have the ply-strength clearly marked on them.
The EEC are working on a programme for the removal of technical barriers to trade which envisages a directive to provide a standard for motor car tyres on compliance with which such tyres, whether on new cars being imported or sold individually, must be allowed free circulation in the member states.
How can the Minister say if there are such tyres when there is no marking?
For a number of years there has been no complaint. My note says there were complaints a number of years ago, but it is not an issue at all.