Trevor Sargent
Ceist:47 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the requirements and the proposed EU amendments, if any, relating to new, remoulded and retreaded tyres for all vehicles. [6118/98]
Written Answers - Vehicle Tyres.
Requirements relating to tyres fitted to new motor vehicles and their trailers are set out in Council Directive 92/23/EEC of 31 March 1992 (O. J. No. L 129 of 14.5.1992), which is implemented in Irish law by the European Communities (Motor Vehicles Type Approval) (No. 2) Regulations, 1997, [S. I. No. 476 of 1997]. The EU Commission has recently submitted a proposal to Council which is aimed at limiting the noise generated by the contact between tyres in motion and road surfaces (O. J. No. C 30 of 28/1/98).
The Industrial Research and Standards (Section 44) (Retreaded Passenger Car and Commercial Vehicle Tyres) Order, 1989, (S. I. No. 254 of 1989) prohibits the manufacture, assembly or sale of retreaded passenger car or commercial vehicle tyres unless they comply with the requirements of Irish Standard 412:1988. Retreaded tyres which comply with the standard of other European Union member states are also acceptable provided that such standards guarantee a level of safety and reliability which is equivalent to IS 412:1988.
These are the only legal requirements and proposed EU amendments relating to tyres of which my Department is aware and which fall under its aegis. I understand that there are other requirements relating to tyres for which my colleague the Minister for the Environment and Local Government is responsible and on which I understand he will be providing a separate response to a similar Dáil question tabled by the Deputy.