Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 3

Written Answers. - EU Directive.

Seán Power

Question:

243 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if the Government will support the European Parliament on the upcoming conciliation procedure on the European motorcycle multi-directive, COM(93)449/final. [22897/96]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

The proposed directive on the type approval of certain components and systems of two or three wheel motor vehicles forms part of the EC motor vehicle type approval system, the aim of which is to achieve harmonisation of manufacturing-saftey standard requirements for two or three wheel vehicles throughout the Community. These vehicles are not manufactured in Ireland nor are the components or systems referred to in the proposed directive. Accordingly, it does not have industrial implications for Ireland. However, motorcycle users here will be affected to the extent that new motorcycles will have to comply with the provisions of the directive.

After lengthy and complex debate at Council Working Group level in Brussels, a common position on the proposed directive was reached at a Council meeting in November 1995. The European Parliament has tabled amendments to the proposed directive and these were discussed at Council Working Group level during the Irish Presidency. However, not all the amendments were acceptable to member states and, accordingly, the proposal will be examined under the conciliation procedure involving Council and Parliament. I am keen to see that the process begins at the earliest date convenient to all the other parties involved — the Parliament, the EU Commission and the Council Secretariat.