Vol. 546 No. 3
257 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the action being taken regarding persons who are using spotlights/headlights on the vehicles that are not within regulation size and strength; if contact has been made with the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána or the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in this regard; and the plans which are in place to control their usage. [31453/01]
Irish regulations require lamps that show a light to the front of a vehicle to be fitted and constructed so that they will not dazzle or mislead other traffic when lit. In addition, such lamps must be fitted with a dipping device so that the beam of light from the lamp, when dipped, is incapable of dazzling a person more than 25 feet away from the lamp and in a specified position, which approximates to that of the driver of an oncoming vehicle. Exceptions to the dipping device requirement are made for direction indicators and for one or more other lamps with a combined maximum power output of seven watts.
Dipped head lamps must be used when a vehicle is either passing another vehicle or travelling close behind one. The use of fog lamps is permitted only in fog or falling snow. Within this framework a maximum power rating is not specified for vehicle lights. The Garda is responsible for the enforcement of these regulations. Checks on head lamp alignment and condition are carried out as part of both the national car test and commercial vehicle testing scheme.
Standards for lighting for new vehicles are specified in EU type approval law. These standards have been adopted at EU level following extensive consultation with vehicle and lighting manufacturing interests and with member states. All new cars sold in Ireland are required to meet the standards which are also deemed to comply with national vehicle lighting law. Within this framework, gas discharge head lamps have been type approved in accordance with European Union law and are consequently in compliance with Irish lighting law.
