Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me the opportunity to speak in the House today on this important topic.

Road safety has been a serious issue in this country for some time with many losing their lives or becoming badly injured on the nation's roads. While the situation has somewhat eased in the past number of years, it is still unacceptable that so many are killed or injured on the roads every year. There are many reasons for this and now is not the time to delve into that discussion.

I bring the attention of the House to one aspect of road safety that simply must be further legislated for. According to a recent report by the Transport Research Laboratory, there are concerns over the quality of windscreen replacements in this country. In all the replacements that have taken place in the past year, 35% of them were found to have a safety or quality issue and 14% were found to have serious signs of safety issues. While I do not want to over-dramatise the position here today, it is important.

The windscreen of a car now accounts for up to 30% of its structural integrity and it prevents the roof from collapsing if the car rolls over. Also, once the airbag has been activated, it relies on the support from the windscreen in order to make it work properly. A windscreen that is fitted properly is, therefore, crucial to the overall safety of the occupants of the car and an incorrectly fitted one could significantly increase the potential for serious injury or worse in the event of an accident.

In addition, windscreens are becoming increasingly complex as car manufacturers have over the years added electronics to their construction, as well as tinting and curving them more than ever before. The industry is producing ever more complex windscreens and we must be able to trust the appropriate company to replace them properly.

However, little or no regulation exists in this area, one which is crucial to road safety. I might add that this is not peculiar to Ireland. It also is the case in other countries.

It has been highlight at the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications, of which I am a member, that there is another worry associated with this industry, that is, the practice of steering.

Many insurance companies now offer policies that give free windscreen replacement to those who take out motor insurance with them. As policyholders with certain insurance companies, we are steered towards a particular windscreen company for a replacement. In order for a windscreen company to get that business, standards are often cut and shortcuts taken. These insurance companies are trying to keep their costs down and so in order to get one of the lucrative contracts windscreen-replacement companies can be tempted to cut their costs by using inferior materials and shoddy work practices, leading in turn to a poor quality service.

Consumers are entitled to have any component replaced or repaired so that the vehicle is as good as it was before an accident. This is not helped by the lack of proper regulation governing this industry. Most people are unaware of the lack of standards in the industry, and may be driving a vehicle with a windscreen that is defective and may render the airbag useless.

I look forward to the Minister of State's reply. I do not wish to overdramatise the situation but it is important. I had my windscreen replaced approximately four weeks ago and I was completely unaware that one should go to a reputable company. I did not realise the windscreen was so important to the overall safety of the car.

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