Noel Dempsey
Question:39 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for the Environment the plans he has to implement the EU regulations in relation to compulsory testing of motorcars. [13557/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Testing of Cars.
Desmond J. O'Malley
Question:65 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for the Environment when it is proposed to establish a national vehicle testing authority to carry out independent compulsory testing for car worthiness under EU regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12545/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 65 together.
EC Council Directive 91/328 of 21 June 1991 requires those member states, including Ireland, which do not already have a system of periodic roadworthiness testing of cars to have such a system in operation by 1998. Pending approval by the Government in due course of specific proposals in the matter, I am not in a position to say what the detailed arrangements will be.
Does the Minister of State agree that it is late in the day for the Department and the Government to leave this issue on the long finger? Road tests must be introduced by 1 June next and we are the last EU country to introduce them. Ireland and Denmark, which has a restrictive motor testing regime, have the highest rates of motor insurance in the EU. Why are proposals not before the Government? When will they come before it or is the Government not taking the issue of road safety seriously?
There is no long fingering of the issue. The matter is in hand and I am satisfied we will introduce car testing early enough to meet our obligations under the directive. It would not be right for me to give details prior to a Government decision on this but I assure the Deputy this will be done.
When will it be done? The directive obliges us to introduce testing by 1 January 1998 but there is an obligation under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work to introduce it next year. The Minister is saying the Government has not looked at proposals and has no idea what it is going to do. Is it taking the matter seriously?
The wheels are falling off the Government.
We are taking it seriously, we are preparing the ground and we will meet the obligation under the directive, which is to introduce the scheme in 1998. It is not a question of not knowing what we will do. We want to do it right and on time and we will do so.
I would be a lot more convinced that the Minister was going to do it right and on time particularly in relation to the Programme for Competitiveness and Work which says 1996 — if I had some evidence of the Government's general thinking on this. However, it is obvious from the reply, and the very thin folder the Minister has, that very little thinking has been done on this so far. Can the Minister of State convey to the Minister concerned that he should act on this from the point of view of safety and jobs potential as quickly as possible because it is very urgent?
I am sure the Deputy is aware that we have the concerns of the motorist at heart.
Not on this performance.
It is the pedestrians.
The Deputy knows it would not be proper for me to go into detail until the Government has made its decision. While the document may be thin, it is specific about the approach. The Government is committed to complying with the directive.
Will the Programme for Competitiveness and Work be honoured?
We are motoring along very well on it, if you will pardon the pun.