Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Some, if not all, of those well made points are under examination — I will ensure all of them are considered — following last year's events. As the Deputy noted, although the safety check for roadworthiness takes place under the authorised test centres, the same level of safety standards that apply to public buses, be they CIE buses or Bus Éireann buses, do not apply to privately contracted buses.

Today, I spoke to the responsible Ministers about this issue and they briefed me on the developments in recent months with regard to the various directives. Those issues are being considered. Our law will incorporate a number of directives to the effect that from October 2007, all new buses, other than for scheduled services, must be fitted with safety belts. However, a large proportion of our buses are older stock. Moreover, we buy older buses — presumably private contractors also do so — which are not fitted with seat belts. Following last year's school bus accident in Kentstown, we decided the school transport fleet would be fitted with seat belts on a phased basis and that the entire fleet would be so equipped by no later than the end of this year. In addition, the application of Directive 2003/20/EC will mean that the wearing of seat belts on school buses, once fitted, will be mandatory. While there is the question of a bus operator who is not part of the system, I am sure the matter is being examined. Ideally, the same standards should apply to transport for all school children, especially in rural areas. There is the question of what happens in the case of the scheduled service, which would apply to buses within cities. I understand these issues are being examined. I will bring to the attention of the relevant parties all the points made by the Deputy.

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