asked the Minister for Justice if he will state what steps are taken in Dublin to secure by inspection the trustworthiness of vehicles plying in the public thoroughfares, the number of inspections which have taken place in each of the last five years, and the action taken to prohibit the use of vehicles which endanger the lives of the persons operating them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Inspection of Vehicles for Hire.
There is no provision in the law requiring owners of mechanically-propelled vehicles, other than public service vehicles, to submit their vehicles for inspection. The Gárda Síochána avail of every opportunity, however, of inspecting such vehicles to ensure that they comply with the Mechanically-Propelled Vehicles (Construction, Equipment and Use) Order, 1934.
In accordance with Section 97 of the Road Traffic Act, 1933, all public service vehicles are regularly inspected once per year. In addition surprise inspections are performed in accordance with Section 98 of the Act. On an average six surprise inspections of every taxicab and three surprise inspections of every other public service vehicle are performed each year.
When serious defects are discovered in public service vehicles, the Gárda Síochána prohibit the use of the vehicles until the defects are remedied, and when the Commissioner is satisfied that that course is necessary he revokes the public service vehicle licences in respect of the vehicles.
Prosecutions are instituted also in appropriate cases when defects are discovered in vehicles other than public service vehicles. The only course open to the Gárdaí is to institute prosecutions.