asked the Minister for the Environment if he is satisfied that the regulations concerning the emission of fumes from motor vehicles are satisfactory; if they are being implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Vehicle Emission Regulations.
117.
Fume emissions from motor vehicles are at present governed by Articles 30 and 90 of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963. The existing statutory framework must be extended to take account of EC Directives on the control of gaseous emissions from new cars and new commercial vehicles. The EC Directives set emission standards for carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, and will require the use of unleaded petrol and, in many cases, catalytic convertors on new cars. I hope to publish a discussion document on the proposed arrangements for the implementation and enforcement of the EC Directives in Ireland, including the planned timescale, early in the New Year.
Enforcement of the existing road traffic regulations on vehicle emissions is primarily a matter for the Garda Síochána. Heavy goods vehicles, buses and ambulances must be roadworthiness-tested annually under the European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations, 1981 to 1986. The roadworthiness test includes pollution/smoke tests on the exhaust systems. Tests are carried out by authorised testers appointed and supervised, at local level, by licensing authorities. My Department has overall responsibility, at national level, for supervising the vehicle testing scheme. Table 21 of the Bulletin of Driver and Vehicle Statistics, 1988, published by my Department, shows that pollution/smoke is not among the ten most common defects in vehicles tested. My Department's analysis shows that 267 vehicles or 0.6 per cent of 46,500 vehicles tested in 1988 were failed for pollution/smoke defects.