Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

That is a cop-out on the part of the Minister of State, because he does not have to wait for EU developments. There is nothing to stop him from introducing new regulations for trucks operating on Irish roads. Other states, such as the Netherlands, have done so and Belgium has offered incentives. To say we must await EU developments is merely long-fingering the issue.

The Minister of State referred to a voluntary code. The Irish Road Haulage Association has pleaded with him and his predecessors for nearly three years to take action to introduce a compulsory requirement for blind-spot mirrors. The industry recognises the problems and that the only thing preventing compulsory mirrors is the inactivity of the Department of Transport. The industry has contacted the Minister of State and his predecessors, Deputy Callely and Deputy McDaid. None of the three has done anything to make these life-saving mirrors compulsory. The Minister of State has failed to provide justification for not moving in that direction.

The inactivity of the Department results in the loss of lives on Irish roads, which is inexcusable. It is all very well to say there is a voluntary system, but when people cut costs to the bone they will not fit these mirrors unless they must under the law. They cost €14 and can be fitted for less than €100. Why will the Minister of State not make them compulsory? He has failed to provide one sound reason for not doing so and there is nothing in Irish law to stop him from doing so. The industry wants him to act. We demand action from the Minister of State where his predecessors failed.

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