Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegations. I must declare an interest in this matter. One of the speakers spoke about the delivery of vehicles and the way in which they turned out. My brother is actively involved in restoring the vehicles with one of the representatives present.

Under the regulations, the suggested changes intend to superimpose a modern standard on an old vehicle and, therefore, detract from the character of a vehicle. Let us contrast that with the manner in which the Department of Defence beautifully restored the armoured car called the Sliabh na mBan a couple of years ago. It is sent around the country and does a great deal of charity and community work on behalf of the Department. Let us consider the type of wing mirrors that the authorities want installed on some of the vehicles with what the gentleman and lady before us advocated as being suitable. It would detract from the character of the vehicle if, for argument's sake, the Department of Defence sought to have the standards associated with modern military vehicles imposed on the Sliabh na mBan. People would not be enthusiastic for something like that to happen.

Even though I have the details I would like the delegations to tell me what changes would be made to the vehicles if the regulations were left unchallenged.

I wish to point out another important matter. The associations have sought a meeting with the Minister and his officer is considering their offer. Deputy Dooley has recommended the best course of action. I urge that common sense should prevail. We are being asked to superimpose modern regulations on vehicles that were not designed for such a purpose. Pre-1980 cars are not required to have seatbelts on the back seat for the very good reason that such cars were not built with them and the same should apply to these vehicles. They are used primarily for social and leisure purposes. I am not aware of anybody hauling barrels of Guinness up and down the quays in Dublin in a 1940s truck and that is what this matter boils down to.