Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Directive 2003/97 lays down new standards for the type approval of certain categories of vehicles, especially lorries, on the field of vision of drivers and requires that all new vehicles meet the new standards. The directive was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Mechanically Propelled Vehicles Entry Into Service) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2004 as regards type approval and entry into service of vehicles.

While the directive's provisions do not become compulsory until 26 January 2007, and then only with regard to new vehicles, I have sought to have these higher standard mirrors fitted to existing HGVs on a voluntary basis. In that regard, in April 2005 the Irish Road Haulage Association, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry and the Irish Business and Employers Confederation were requested to consider advising their members to retrofit vehicles with blind-spot mirrors or indirect vision devices. The Society of the Irish Motor Industry was also asked, in advance of the 26 January 2007 deadline for new vehicles, that all new HGVs being put on the market meet the higher standards required by Directive 2003/97/EC.

The Irish Road Haulage Association responded positively, indicating that in recent years it has actively encouraged its members to fit convex mirrors to their vehicles and to request these when acquiring new vehicles. The Society of the Irish Motor Industry also responded positively, indicating that vehicle distributors had agreed to the fitting of these enhanced mirrors to new vehicles before they become a legal requirement in January 2007. In that regard, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry anticipated that by the end of March 2006, 80% of new vehicles of the relevant categories would meet the requirements of the directive, with all new vehicles so complying by the end of October 2006.

In accordance with Directive 96/96/EC, HGVs are first liable to roadworthiness when they are one year old. As the fitment of mirrors in accordance with Directive 2003/97/EC does not become mandatory until 26 January 2007, it would not be appropriate to check HGVs for these mirrors during the annual roadworthiness test until after 26 January 2008 and then only with regard to HGVs whose registration required the fitting of mirrors in accordance with the requirements of Directive 2003/97.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

On 12 April 2006 the European Commission published a consultation paper on the retrofitting of blind-spot mirrors to existing HGVs, seeking views of interested parties by 19 May 2006 with a view to possibly bringing forward proposals for a directive on the matter. I welcome this development and intend to respond to the European Commission indicating that Ireland would be in favour of early action on the issue. I will progress the development of national legislation in this area having regard to the Commission's consideration of this matter.

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