I intend to transpose into Irish law before 20 April 2006 Directive 2005/39/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005, amending Council Directive 74/408/EEC relating to motor vehicles with regard to the seats, their anchorages and head restraints; Directive 2005/40/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005, amending Council Directive 77/541/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to safety belts and restraint systems of motor vehicles and Directive 2005/41/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005, amending Council Directive 76/115/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to anchorages for motor-vehicle safety belts.
These directives collectively provide, inter alia, for the extension of requirements to fit safety belts to all forward facing seats in all new passenger and goods vehicles, including buses and minibuses, with the exception of buses constructed and-or designed with areas for standing passengers to allow frequent passenger movement. In accordance with these directives, new vehicles may not be registered, sold or entered into service here, with effect from 20 October 2007, unless fitted with safety belts as provided for.