The information requested by the Deputy is set out below in year order.
Road Traffic Act 1961
A decision regarding the commencement of section 93 relating to protection of bridges from excessive burdens, as amended by section 61 of the Road Traffic Act 1968, will be taken when the review of the Traffic Signs Manual (1996) is completed.
Road Transport Act 1999
Section 23 of the Road Transport Act 1999 provides for the repeal of a number of sections in previous Road Transport Acts. A number of those repeals were brought into effect in 2005, while others remain outstanding as they can only be made in conjunction with other new legislation currently under consideration.
Adventure Activities Standards Authority Act 2001
The commencement of this Act is being reviewed to ensure that there is no duplication of responsibilities and that the most effective and efficient structures are put in place.
Road Traffic Act 2002
Sections 11 and 12 relate to the operation and enforcement of the fixed charge system and, in the case of section 11, to the operation and enforcement of the penalty points system. These provisions, except insofar as those already commenced up to 1 September 2006, will be progressively commenced as the operation and enforcement of the fixed charge system and or, penalty points system, is extended to the specified offences. Section 13 is a broad enabling provision. There are no proposals to commence this section at this time.
It is proposed that consideration will be given later in 2006 to the transfer of functions required under section 16 to local authorities.
Taxi Regulation Act 2003
Commencement of section 35 and subsections (1), (1A), (2), (5) and (6) of section 36 require further consultation with the Commission for Taxi Regulation, An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service to ensure that the appropriate arrangements for implementation are in place. Section 44 (5) will not be commenced pending the full commencement of section 36.
Aer Lingus Act 2004
It is not intended to commence section 9, relating to superannuation schemes.
Road Traffic Act 2004
Part 5 of the Act is intended to deal with the possibility that the current unlimited personal liability for third party motor insurance cover could prove to be unsustainable in the market. This situation has not arisen and therefore Part 5 has not been commenced.
The Sea Pollution (Hazardous Substances) (Compensation) Act 2005
It is intended that the commencement date for the Act should, if possible, coincide with international entry into force of the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996, which date is not yet known.
Section 28 of the Act amends the Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act 1996 to give effect to the Protocol of 1996 to amend the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976. Consideration is being given to commence this provision separately in advance of the remaining sections of the Act.
Rail Safety Act 2005
A Commencement Order in respect of Part 8 has yet to be made. Part 8 of the Act provides for the establishment of Railway Safety Advisory Council to advise both the Minister for Transport and the Railway Safety Commission on issues relating to railway safety. It is planned to commence this part before the end of the year.
The Road Traffic Act 2006
Sections 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 16 and 18 will be progressively commenced in the future.
