Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

This matter was discussed on Committee Stage and I said we would return to it on Report Stage. I understand the motives of Deputy Shortall and other Deputies in tabling these amendments. I share their concerns about modifications to windscreens and side windows that result in excessively blacked out windows. However, regulating for the control of modifications to the glazing of motor vehicles gives rise to certain complex issues. I shall detail some of them with as much clarity as possible.

The regulatory framework for vehicle standards is set at a European level through a harmonised system of motor vehicle type approval. Standards for new cars in the EU are specified in a range of EU-type approval directives that are incorporated into a system known as EU vehicle whole type approval. Whole vehicle type approval facilitates the achievement of a single market for cars through harmonised safety and environmental standards. New cars must have whole vehicle type approval to be placed on the market in the EU and it is not open to a member state to ban vehicles which have it. To receive whole vehicle type approval a car must meet the technical specifications for a range of items, including the glazing and the field vision of drivers, which are set down in a series of separate directives. The technical specifications for glazing in these directives allow for tinting. There are enforcement difficulties in distinguishing between type approved and non-type approved glazing.

As I indicated on Committee Stage, I intend to develop national technical standards for glazing opacity in motor vehicles with a view to incorporating them into the construction, equipment and use of vehicle regulations. In that regard, I propose to ask the Road Safety Authority, on its establishment, to examine the matter and advise me on appropriate standards.

In the meantime, one of the recommendations contained in the PricewaterhouseCoopers report on the mid-term review of the NCTS is the establishment of a technical standards forum to consider and make recommendations on vehicle technical matters associated with the national car test, NCT. I now intend to implement that recommendation. The matter of excessively blacked-out windows could be referred to such a forum on its establishment and I intend to do that. The outcome of the work of the proposed technical standards forum also involves industry. I intend to include all the stakeholders on it so that I can tie them into an agreement. I will ensure the manufacturers' representative is also on it. We may lead Europe in this regard.

I had intended dealing with the issue of glazing through the NCT, but now that the Deputy has raised it, I have had another look at it. We will put the issue into the mix of the forum and it is hoped we will get a resolution on it. If we have a resolution in time for the second Bill in this area, we will include it. I am acting as quickly as I can on the issue. To act unilaterally without agreement from the stakeholders would be a pointless exercise and would not put real meat on the bone.

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