Vol. 571 No. 1
1052 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify the situation in relation to the compulsory wearing of seatbelts where a family have four children and only three seat belts in the rear of their car and where they cannot afford to replace their existing vehicle. [20184/03]
The national requirements requiring the wearing of seatbelts as set out in the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1991 (SI No. 359 of 1991) include the provision that if and so long as three or more children under the age of 15 years are being carried in a vehicle the obligations in relation to the wearing of seatbelts in the rear of the vehicle shall only be complied with so far as is reasonably practicable. Enforcement of the regulations is a matter for the Garda.
1053 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the regulations covering the specifications for vehicle headlights; and the position regarding blue or white headlights. [20213/03]
Irish regulations require lamps that show a light to the front of a vehicle to be fitted and constructed in order that they will not dazzle or mislead other traffic when lit. In addition, they must be either white or amber in colour. Such lamps must be fitted with a dipping device in order 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. Dipped headlamps must be used when a vehicle is either passing another vehicle or travelling close behind one. Within this framework a maximum power rating is not specified for vehicle lights. Checks on headlamp alignment and condition are carried out as part of both the national car test and the 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 headlamps and other headlamps that contain inert gases such as halogen or xenon, have been type approved in accordance with European Union law and are consequently in compliance with Irish lighting law.
