Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I will do so without resistance. I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak on this important legislation. Several important aspect of the Bill have been referred to by other speakers. I have no wish to labour the points made by my colleagues other than to say that road safety is a major concern nowadays. Heavy vehicular traffic on roads is growing. Recently, on a trip from Cork to Dublin beginning at 1.30 a.m., I met coming towards me in the opposite direction 130 heavy goods vehicles. From an economic point of view, that is a good sign, demonstrating activity in the country. It is also indicative of the heavy volume of traffic on the roads. It is also a good thing to see such traffic is not on the road during peak hours. The Acting Chairman will note I did not count the vehicles going in the other direction but I promise I did not break the speed limit. I was a very good boy.

The crash in County Meath some years ago with its tragic consequences is a moot point. It left an impression on us all and we should remember what happened there. Whether deliberately or negligently, the circumstances that brought about the accident in terms of vehicle testing failures have not been addressed to any great extent yet except in the context of this proposal. One can point to issues that should have been raised as part of a vehicle test and which should have been readily recognised but were not. That should not be the case.

I have a reasonable mechanical knowledge but one must get underneath a vehicle to find out what is going on. I have been shocked at some of the things I have seen in recent years since that unfortunate and tragic accident in Meath. A similar accident occurred in County Offaly. I cannot understand why people would knowingly do something or fail to take action in respect of a vehicle safety issue.

Some people maintain we should have annual or six-monthly reviews. One need not be a rocket scientist to carry out an overhaul of the linkages and joints in a vehicle which directly affect its safety. This could last for three years if the inspection were to be carried out properly by competent people. There is no excuse. Therefore, it must be a case of deliberate negligence - there is no other way around it - and that is criminal. Unfortunately, that is what it amounts to if it leads to loss of life, which it can.

Let us consider the safety factors we should bear in mind. Deputy Finian McGrath mentioned the bangers we drove in the past. However, we drove at a different speed at the time. We did not have motorways at the time and we did not really have occasion to travel at high speed on narrow country roads because the vehicles did not have the competence to do so. As tyres wear on a vehicle, one should slow down. One cannot have the same grip at all times. Allegedly, I have been severe on tyres in the past as well as at present. One must take account of the wear on tyres and the ability of the vehicle to hold the road in all circumstances. Brakes raise others issues. Sadly, not all vehicle brakes will stand up to rigorous tests, even today. This should show up on a National Car Testing Service, NCTS, examination. The smallest details such as a bulb that does not work will be found under the test. Strangely, the tyres do not appear as an issue in the test unless they are seriously worn, and this is extraordinary. Suspension in a vehicle has a considerable impact on its road-holding capacity. Bad or weak suspension joints cause serious problems, especially in an emergency situation.

I imagine every Member has had occasion to meet what appeared to be a motorcycle coming towards them on the road at night only to discover that it was actually a four-wheeled vehicle. Sometimes such large vehicles have only one light on the left-hand side, creating a more serious problem. I recall having a slight brush with another vehicle in such a situation some years ago. Such situations are difficult on a narrow road or a road only barely capable of having two vehicles. Such a fault can occur rather suddenly and the individual concerned may not have had a chance to get to a garage and have it repaired. However, the fact remains this is a considerable and serious issue and must be attended to as a matter of urgency.

The regionalisation of the testing centres may be a good thing or a bad thing. It may be good in the sense that high standards should apply. However, high standards should apply anyway. Any vehicle testing centre, whether local or regional, should comply with the highest possible standards. If it does not do so, the system is weakened. My colleague, Deputy Tom Barry, referred to the powers of the authorities to impound or search a vehicle or a premises with vehicles. There are other reasons this should be the case but they do not relate to safety. Legislation of a different nature should be used to deal with such situations.

I have a long-standing hobby of playing around with classic cars. I do not play with vintage cars but rather those from the era I represent. I have always kept one or two such vehicles. They have not been driven yet but they will drive some day. It is no business of anyone else since they are not on the road and they are not road vehicles. They are off the road and if I wish to bring them on the road, I will do all that must be done and I will comply with all regulations necessary to bring them on the road. However, it is no business of anyone else whether I have one or none, whether they are in a good or bad state or whether they will ever run again. That is my business. Everyone has their foibles in this life. Long may it continue that one may have them and be in compliance with the law.

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