Vol. 410 No. 6
105 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment the total number of motor vehicles registered in 1989; the proportion of these which were (1) pre-owned vehicles and (2) new vehicles; if he has satisfied himself with the roadworthiness of the pre-owned vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A total of 122,074 vehicles were first registered during 1989. Of these, 105,245 were new and 16,829 were imported used vehicles.
I have no evidence that there are any special road safety problems in relation to imported used vehicles. Such vehicles in the categories which are liable to compulsory roadworthiness testing in this country, must be tested and passed as roadworthy by a vehicle testing station here before being licensed. The categories in question are heavy goods vehicles-trailers, buses, and ambulances over one year old. Taxis and hackneys are roadworthiness tested by the Garda Síochána public service vehicle inspectors prior to being licensed.
The Road Traffic (Control of Supply of Vehicles) Regulations, 1991 impose a duty on commercial suppliers of all new or used motor vehicles to supply vehicles which comply with road traffic regulations on the safe construction, equipment and lighting of vehicles. These regulations apply to any vehicles being sold-resold by a commercial supplier since 1 March 1991. Commercial suppliers include importers, distributors and motor dealers.
Any specific allegations that unroadworthy vehicles are being imported should, together with supporting evidence, be addressed to the Garda Síochána who are responsible for enforcement of the regulations.
