Vol. 400 No. 3
107 Mr. Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for the Environment if there are standards set down for controlling exhaust emissions from mechanically propelled vehicles; and if so, if he will outline (a) the standards and (b) whether it is the Garda Síochána, his Department or local authorities who enforce these standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Emissions from motor vehicles are at present governed by Articles 30 and 90 of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963. The existing statutory framework must be extended to take account of EC Directives on the control of gaseous emissions from new vehicles. The EC Directives set emission standards for carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and particulates, and will require the use of unleaded petrol and, in many cases, catalytic convertors on new cars. The type-approval aspects of the Directives have been implemented in Ireland by way of Statutory Instruments made by the Minister for Industry and Commerce. The implementation of the other aspects of the Directives, in particular the prohibition of entry into service of new vehicles which do not meet the required standards, will be the subject of a discussion paper which it is intended to have published shortly, with a view to having these provisions transposed into Irish legislation as soon as possible.
Enforcement of the existing road traffic regulations on vehicle emissions is primarily a matter for the Garda Síochána.Heavy goods vehicles, buses and ambulances must be roadworthiness tested annually under the European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations, 1981 to 1986. The roadworthiness test includes pollution-smoke tests on the exhaust systems. Tests are carried out by authorised testers appointed and supervised, at local level, by licensing authorities.My Department have overall responsibility, at national level, for supervising the vehicle testing scheme.
