asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he proposes to take action to ban the sale of partly worn vehicle tyres, which were shown in a recent survey to be highly dangerous; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Sale of Worn Tyres.
138.
There are two existing legislative measures which relate to the quality of tyres. First, the Road Traffic Act, 1961, lays down requirements for tyres to be used on motor vehicles. There is rigorous enforcement of these regulations by the Garda Síochána.
Secondly, section 14 of the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980, which applies, inter alia, to tyres provides that goods on sale must be of a merchantable quality and fit for the purposes for which they are commonly bought.
In addition, I am currently preparing an order requiring safety markings on new tyres including markings indicating maximum speed safely attainable with the tyre; the diameter of the wheel rim for which the tyre is designed etc.
It is also the case that the EC Commission has made a proposal to the Council for a directive requiring a minimum thread depth of 1.6mm over the entire thread surface of tyres. This proposal has not yet been discussed by Ministers but I can assure the Deputy that both the Minister for the Environment and I will be supporting it.
Finally, I would add that the National Standards Authority of Ireland has prepared a draft standard for re-threaded passenger car and commercial vehicle tyres. This draft will be adopted as soon as the required consultation procedures now in progress are completed.