Mary Harney
Question:71 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will introduce 100 brake horse power restrictions for motorcycles from June 1993.
Written Answers. - Horse Power Restrictions for Motorcycles.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:72 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the plans, if any, there are to implement the EC regulations introducing 100 brake horse power (BHP) restrictions for motorcycles in this country; if so, the main elements of the proposed regulation; if he will give any statistical or other evidence to suggest that motorcycles of over 100 brake horse power have any impact on the number of motor cycle accidents; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these motorcycles are normally owned and ridden by older and more experienced motorcyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together.
The European Commission has drawn up a proposal for a Council Directive on the maximum design speed, maximum torque and maximum net engine power of two or three-wheel motor vehicles. This proposal includes a requirement to limit the maximum permissible power output to 74 Kw.
The specific requirement to limit power output was included on the grounds of road safety and is supported by the vast majority of member states.
The proposal was submitted to the Internal Market Council on 14 June 1993 and was adopted as a Common Position. However a derogation was agreed whereby member states could allow the registration of motor cycles up to 94 Kw for a period of five years from the date of application of the Directive. The Commission is obliged to re-examine the situation and to submit a new report to the Council within three and a half years.
We do not have a motor cycle manufacturing industry in Ireland. Consequently the impact of this proposal in Ireland would occur mainly in relation to first registration of these vehicles.
I have been informed by the Department of the Environment that there are no Irish statistics available linking motor cycle accidents to the engine power of the motor cycles involved nor are there statistics to show the age profile of motor cycle riders. Moreover, I understand that only three per cent of motor cycles currently licensed in Ireland have an engine power in excess of 74Kw.