Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 324: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the anomaly that many school buses have no belts in view of widespread concern surrounding the non-use of seat belts; and if he intends to introduce legislation to cover this in the near future. [30310/04]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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At present, buses having a design gross weight not exceeding 3,500 kg, that is, minibuses, first registered since 1 January 1992 are the only buses which require to be fitted with seat belts, in which case seat belts are required for the driver and each forward facing front seat passenger. Persons occupying these seats are required to use the seat belts.

In June 2003 the European Commission published proposals to amend a number of directives relating to the type approval requirements for safety belts and restraint systems, anchorages for safety belts, and seats, their anchorages and head restraints. These proposals provide, inter alia, for the mandatory fitment of seatbelts in buses and coaches, other than those used on staged stop urban services, at manufacturing stage for the purpose of obtaining motor vehicle type approval. Under the proposals it would be a requirement for the registration, sale and entry into service of new buses and coaches from 1 January 2006, and that their safety belts and restraint systems, anchorages for safety belts and seats, and anchorages and head restraints would conform to the technical requirements specified in the proposed amending directives.

In anticipation of the aforementioned proposals, Directive 2003/30/EC has been adopted which provides, inter alia, for the compulsory wearing of seat belts by all occupants of vehicles, including buses, where seat belts are fitted. Member states are required to transpose this directive into national law by 9 May 2006. It is my intention to make the necessary regulations to provide for the compulsory wearing of seat belts where fitted in vehicles as soon as the type approval standards for related safety systems, including standards relating to the mandatory fitment of seat belts, have been agreed at European level.