I said earlier, in connection with sections 6 and 13, that we have a new situation developing where criminal law is being introduced into civil law in regard to the sale and purchase of goods for the first time. I ask the Minister, because of the importance of it and of the fundamental change that is taking place, seriously to consider the situation in regard to the motor vehicle trade as outlined in the Bill and especially in regard to the regulations she is bringing in this morning.
There is some merit in section 13 in regard to a dangerously defective vehicle at the time of delivery which renders it a danger to the public, including persons travelling in the vehicle. It is very hard to argue against that. On the other hand, in regard to the ordinary transactions involving motor cars, people in their ordinary day to day dealings are being placed in a situation where they may find themselves charged in court and liable to jail sentences. This is a fundamental change. Before the Bill goes to the Seanad the Minister, as she has done in the past, should meet the people involved in the motor industry once more to see if she can allay their fears. I am concerned about this matter.
It is hard to argue against the Bill but I feel we must try to protect consumers. There is also an obligation on all Deputies to ensure that people in their ordinary day to day business are not branded as criminals without taking great pains to ensure that we safeguard their interests and rights. I want the Minister to appreciate my concern in regard to this fundamental change. Its consequences may be far reaching and may cause serious difficulties for ordinary people in the motor trade. The vast majority of those whom I have met in the course of my business are honest people in their day to day dealings.
Those people are going through a difficult time.
I am worried in case this Bill will have serious repercussions on the day to day affairs of people in the motor trade. Those people are now liable to prosecution and, on conviction, liable to heavy fines and the threat of jail sentences hanging over their heads. We should be very careful to safeguard against such threats. A garage owner purchases a vehicle brought into his garage after he has made a careful examination of it. He examines the vehicle further before he sells it. Sometimes, through a oversight, a serious defect is not seen on examination. The owner of that garage can still find himself liable to be charged and convicted in court. I appreciate that the Minister has met the motor trade and I appreciate her goodwill in regard to this. Before the Bill reaches the Seanad and while it is going through the different Stages in that House I ask the Minister to look at this again and to meet the motor trade. That is my main concern about the Bill, which is a good one. This is a fundamental change in regard to the ordinary day to day business of people who sell cars and I hope the Minister will give it further consideration.
