Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Transport the position on the mandatory introduction of digital tachographs; the way in which this will be enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8288/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The European Parliament and the Council recently reached agreement on a new EU regulation governing driving times, breaks and rest periods for professional drivers. The regulation provides that the fitment of digital tachographs in new vehicles will become mandatory throughout the community 20 days after the publication of the new regulation in the EU Official Journal. Publication is expected to take place in April 2006 and for digital tachographs to become mandatory for new vehicles from early May 2006.

My Department has already introduced the national legislation necessary to enforce the compulsory fitting of digital tachographs in new vehicles that are registered in the State from May 2006 in line with the EU deadline. From then vehicle operators will be obliged to ensure that any new vehicle they take delivery of complies with these regulations. Where breaches of these rules are detected at checkpoints or premises visits the operator will be liable to prosecution.