asked the Minister for the Environment the present position regarding the 5,547 vehicles which are reported in the Irish bulletin of vehicle and driver statistics, 1987, to have failed the compulsory vehicle test; the steps he has taken or proposes to take to ensure that these unsafe vehicles are not used on the public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Compulsory Vehicle Test.
191.
In 1987, a total of 5,550 or 12.7 per cent of heavy goods vehicles, trailers, buses and ambulances failed the compulsory annual roadworthiness test for such vehicles over one year old. A proportion of the failed vehicles would have been subsequently repaired, retested, passed and are included in the total of 38,063 vehicles passed as road-worthy in 1987.
A significant number of vehicles failed as unroadworthy would have been taken off the road and scrapped because the cost of the necessary repairs would be disproportionately high. I would expect the majority of the owners of failed vehicles to act responsibly and not endanger drivers or other road users by using unroadworthy vehicles, contrary to the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1961. It is an offence to use any vehicles in the categories mentioned above in a public place without a current certificate of roadworthiness. Such vehicles cannot be retaxed unless and until a certificate of road worthiness is produced to the local licensing authority.
Enforcement of the relevant legislation is primarily a matter for the Garda Síochána.