12 Feb 2013, 17:18
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications will tomorrow hear a wide range of opinion on European Commission proposals aimed at bolstering the roadworthiness of vehicles.
12 February 2013
The proposals lay down common rules on the roadside inspection of vehicles and their trailers, with the aim to enhance road safety and environmental protection.
The package outlined by the Commission includes:
• Compulsory testing of mopeds and motorcycles;
• Compulsory testing of trailers up to 3,500kg;
• Increasing the testing frequency for cars to annually after 6 years and, or for cars with more than 160,000 km, and
• Introduction of inspection of agricultural tractors with a design speed of over 40 km/h.
Officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport; Noel Brett, CEO of Road Safety Authority and Martin O’Halloran, CEO of the Health & Safety Authority will brief the Committee on COMs (2012) 380 and 382.
Chairman of the Committee Tom Hayes TD says: “Oireachtas Committees have an important role in the scrutiny of European Union legislation. The proposals, which have the overarching aim of reducing road deaths and curbing emissions,would bring in more stringent testing than currently exists in Ireland. In October, our Committee agreed that it would engage with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in seeking a progress report and invite stakeholders to provide their views on the proposals.
“The RSA have held a public consultation on the issue, while the HSA have a particular perspective around ensuring the safety of work vehicles. Tomorrow’s meeting will assist us in assessing fully the implications for Ireland of the proposals.”
The meeting takes place in Committee Room 4, LH 2000, tomorrow Wednesday 13 February 2012 commencing in private at 9.30 a.m. It is anticipated that the meeting will revert to Public Session at approximately 10.30 a.m.
Follow public proceedings here.
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputies
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Féin
Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil
Dessie Ellis, Sinn Féin
Terence Flanagan, Fine Gael
Tom Fleming, Independent
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Tom Hayes, Fine Gael (Chairman)
Seán Kenny, Labour
Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fáil
Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael
John O’Mahony, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
Ann Phelan, Labour
Brian Walsh, Fine Gael
Senators
Terry Brennan
Sean D. Barrett
Eamonn Coghlan
Paschal Mooney
Ned O’Sullivan
John Whelan