Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
980. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the use of anti-roll bars and protective head gear on all-terrain vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24936/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSafety standards in respect of the manufacture of vehicles such as quads or ‘all-terrain vehicles’ are set out in Regulation (EU) No. 168/2013 and these have been transposed into Irish Legislation in SI No. 614/2015. The Regulation sets out the fundamental provisions on functional safety and limitations of maximum speed, power, ground clearance, etc.
The Regulation stipulates that manufacturers shall ensure that vehicles are designed, constructed and assembled so as to minimise the risk of injury to the vehicle occupants and to other road users. The regulation does not however contain reference to anti roll-bars and protective head gear. These matters have been examined by both the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and they have concluded that research on the use of anti roll bars on quad bikes has shown that in some cases the risk of injury from use of anti roll-bars may be greater and can lead to a reduction in safety to the user.
Both the RSA and the HSA recommend the use of protective head gear when using quads and I fully endorse their recommendations in this regard. The HSA has actively promoted the use of protective head gear and officials in my Department highlight the importance of its use at every opportunity.
