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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 24 Apr 1968

Vol. 234 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Secondhand Car Tyres.

25.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will take steps, including the introduction of legislation if necessary, to ensure that secondhand cars offered for sale are equipped with reliable and unworn tyres; and what powers he has at the moment to ensure that cars currently on the roads do not use defective or worn-out tyres.

Under article 16 of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963, made under the Road Traffic Act, 1961, it is an offence to use on a public road a mechanically propelled vehicle or trailer with excessively worn tyres. In the case of pneumatic tyres on passenger and goods vehicles the pattern relief throughout must be clearly visible and at least one millimetre in depth. Also, all tyres must be maintained in such condition as to be free from any defect which might in any way cause danger. Consideration is being given to the need for developing these regulations further.

In order to secure higher safety standards, powers are being sought under the Road Traffic Bill, 1966, to control the supply and sale of motor vehicles (both new and secondhand) and motor vehicle equipment and parts. These powers would enable regulations to be made in regard to the condition of tyres on secondhand cars offered for sale.

Can the Minister say when this will happen?

As soon as the Bill is passed.

Can the Minister say when that will be?

It depends mainly on the Opposition.

It does not depend on the Opposition. Fianna Fáil have not asked to have it discussed for the past six weeks.

You are fighting it line by line.

That is untrue. Deputy Noel Lemass and others are fighting it line by line. The Government did not ask to have it discussed for the past six weeks.

Sentence by sentence and line by line.

Will Deputy L'Estrange please cease interrupting?

The Minister should not be allowed to get away with untruths. We did not hold up the passage of the Bill.

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