Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Earlier in the year the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy de Valera, outlined the procedures that will be introduced. Obviously, if seat belts are introduced for children on school buses, it will affect seating capacity on the buses and some children will not be able to travel on them. In the incident in which a child fell out of the back of the bus, there were seat belts on that bus. The Department wrote to parents because children were not using seat belts. The necessary arrangements have been made. Until recently, the number of children allowed on the buses was in excess of the number of seats. This cannot continue when seat belt wearing is made compulsory.

Those involved in testing the school bus fleet are strict on the roadworthiness test. They are conscious that children are being carried on the buses and, children being children, may not be the quietest on a bus. The bus in question passed its Department of Transport roadworthiness test. It was conducted in an authorised test centre in Meath last August. It also had a recent service. In these examinations the older buses must be watched. Many older buses are in very good order.

The test processes are best to be considered. Maybe it is all perfect. I would be happy if the system were examined in total. I am not putting any pressure on those involved in testing school buses. A system where an individual can both fix a bus and do its DOT examination does not apply in other areas. It is an issue on everyone's, especially parents', minds. We acted last year to increase the number of buses and expenditure on the fleet is substantial. Since the tragic accident last year we have tackled the seat belt issue. There have been other incidents where people have lost their lives. The system must be carefully examined. It would be fine if there were no room for improvement. Nothing will be lost, however, by having a detailed examination. I will ask the Minister to do so.

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