Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2015
262. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will report on the current situation regarding drivers of emergency response vehicles attending to emergencies in relation to their rights, insurance coverage, right- of-way and responsibilities while on duty; the way this may affect their personal rights and insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12477/15]
View answer266. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he has been in contact with the Minister for Justice and Equality, and the Road Safety Authority to address the issues surrounding the drivers of emergency response vehicles attending to emergencies; if he will report on their rights, insurance coverage, rights-of-way and responsibilities while on duty; the way this may affect their personal rights and insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12478/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 266 together.
Road traffic legislation provides that vehicles driven by members of emergency services during the course of their duties are exempt from a range of traffic laws. This applies to An Garda Síochána, as well as fire and ambulance services, and is set out in section 87 of the Road Traffic Act 2010, as amended by section 23 of the Road Traffic Act 2014.
The reference to sections from which the organisations concerned are not exempted includes intoxicated driving (sections 49 and 50 of the Principal Act, 4 and 5 of the 2010 Act), driving without reasonable consideration (section 51A of the Principal Act), careless driving (section 52 of the Principal Act), dangerous driving (section 53 of the Principal Act), obligations to provide breath, blood or urine samples as required (sections 12, 13 and 15 of the 1994 Act, 12 and 14 of the 2010 Act).
I am satisfied that road traffic legislation in respect of the use of emergency response vehicles as set out above is satisfactory and I have not been in contact with either the Minister for Justice and Equality or the Road Safety Authority regarding the matters raised.
