Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 February 2006
134 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Transport his plans to introduce legislation to allow for the provision and court sanctioning of an interlock system on certain vehicles to curb drink driving; if legal advice has been sought on providing same in legislation; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3129/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraA matter that is relevant to vehicle-based technologies is that the regulatory framework for vehicle standards is set at European level through a harmonised system of motor vehicle type-approval. Standards for new passenger cars in the EU are specified in a range of EU type-approval directives that are incorporated into a system known as EU whole vehicle type approval, WVTA. WVTA facilitates the achievement of a single market for cars through harmonised safety and environmental standards. New cars must have WVTA in order to be placed on the market in the EU. Once a car has WVTA, it must be given access to the EU market and it is not open to a member state to unilaterally require additional equipment to be fitted in a car.
The inclusion in motor vehicles of technology of the type outlined by the Deputy is not required under the EU motor vehicle type-approval system. Accordingly, it would not be open to Ireland to require the installation of such equipment in motor vehicles.
