asked the Minister for the Environment the steps, if any, he has taken to ensure that second-hand Japanese cars being imported for sale into this country conform to prescribed standards and fulfil the detailed requirements of regulations in force in this country with regard to motor vehicles; and whether he is satisfied that spare parts are available at reasonable cost for these cars to enable any necessary repairs to be carried out when they arise.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Importation of Second-Hand Cars.
1.
My Department have completed inquiries about the compliance of imported used Japanese cars with standards prescribed in regulations made by me. At present, the Department are consulting with other Departments concerned about the results of these inquiries. I hope to be in a position to make a public statement on the subject early in the new year.
My responsibility relates solely to vehicle safety standards. Potential car purchasers should satisfy themselves as to the availability of spare parts, and repair services, from the motor dealer from whom the vehicle is bought.
Would the Minister outline to the House the results of his own inquiries into these cars and indicate whether the cars are subjected to the same tests which are applied to new cars sold here and whether they conform with the mandatory regulations enforced here requiring them to meet approved standards and have specific markings or is it the case that these approved standards and the necessity for specific markings are being ignored?
They are some of the items being considered in the inquiry we are undertaking. Some items now need to be cleared by other Departments. Rather than go into the details at this stage I would prefer if the Deputy would wait a little longer as I intend to make a public statement on the matter. As the Deputy is aware, my responsibility relates solely to the safety elements. We have to be satisfied that these are compiled with in accordance with the regulations.
In the context of the safety elements, would the Minister accept that there is an urgent need to clarify the position in the public interest as people are currently purchasing these cars? Would he accept, for the benefit of the House and the general public, that these cars do not currently meet the required standards and that in particular there are problems with windscreens and safety belts? is the Minister aware that consumer organisations in both Australia and New Zealand expressed considerable concern about the problems purchasers experienced after buying similar cars imported into those countries and that as a result the Australian Government at the beginning of September of this year introduced new regulations which require all imported used cars to conform to prescribed standards and have certification to that effect?
May I advise Deputy Shatter that it is not in order to quote during Question Time?
I am merely referring to documentation in relation to certification.
The Chair thought the Deputy was quoting. I would ask the Minister——
In conclusion, as I want to give the Minister an opportunity to respond, can he tell us if he intends to introduce such a certification process here and would he confirm to the House that under current regulations——
These are all separate questions.
——these cars would not or could not be imported into any other member state at present?
All I can say is that some of what the Deputy says is accurate in so far as other countries are concerned. As the Deputy says, difficulties have been experienced in New Zealand and Australia following the importation of certain types of cars from Japan. We did carry out a few small tests and these confirmed that the cars are roadworthy, are suited to Irish conditions and can be made so at relatively little cost but that is not the whole story. We wish to ensure that no difficulties will arise subsequent to our final negotiations with other Departments. I will make a public statement as it is my intention to put this matter at rest.