John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Transport the checks or requirements regarding the drivers and vehicles of full size private hire buses; the organisation which checks on the roadworthiness of such vehicles; if they are subject to annual NCT tests or the equivalent; if such evidence should be available to clients hiring a bus; and the person who checks on concerns or reports of clients after use. [24000/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Every vehicle used for the carriage of passengers for reward is subject to a range of safety measures that includes annual roadworthiness testing. In the case of vehicles with eight or more passenger seats, the roadworthiness tests are carried out by authorised testers appointed by local authorities under regulations made by the Minister for Transport. The regulations transpose EU Directive 96/96 on periodic roadworthiness testing into Irish law. The regulations specify standards for premises, equipment and skills and training of vehicle testers. The items to be tested and the methods of testing are set out in the heavy goods vehicle testers manual or the manual covering light vehicles, as appropriate to the vehicle undergoing test.

Vehicles with seats for more than eight passengers used for the carriage of passengers for reward are subject to a range of other safety-related measures that includes statutory standards covering construction, equipment, use, lighting, weights and dimensions, a maximum speed limit of 80 km/h, mandatory fitment of a speed limiter device, controls on the numbers of passengers that may be carried, vehicle licensing requirements under the Road Transport Act 1932, driver licensing requirements under the Road Transport Act 1932 and the Road Traffic Acts 1961 to 2004, including maximum permissible driving times.

It is not obligatory for a transport operator to provide evidence of a roadworthiness certificate in respect of a vehicle to a person seeking to hire the vehicle. However, there would not appear to be a good reason for the operator to decline to provide such evidence if so requested by the hirer.