Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 511: To ask the Minister for Transport when and by what legislative means he intends transposing EU Directive 2005/66/EC. [15191/06]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 512: To ask the Minister for Transport the way in which he has exploited Article 8 of EU Directive 2005/66/EC to set down regulations for the protection of vulnerable road users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15192/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 511 and 512 together.

Directive 2005/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2005 relating to the use of frontal protection systems on motor vehicles and amending Council Directive 70/156/EEC is required to be transposed into Irish law by 25 August 2006. It lays down technical requirements for the type approval of motor vehicles as regards frontal protection systems supplied as original equipment fitted to vehicles or as separate technical units. New cars and small vans fitted with frontal protection systems which do not comply with the directive may not be allowed registration or entry into service from 25 May 2007.

The directive was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities Motor Vehicles Type Approval (Amendment)(No.2) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 166 of 2006), regarding type approval of vehicles and component parts.

The directive was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Passenger Car Entry into Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 165 of 2006) regarding entry into service of passenger cars.

It is my intention to amend the European Communities (Mechanically Propelled Vehicle Entry into Service) Regulations so as to extend the provisions of the directive to new small vans before 25 August 2006.

There are no restrictions or prohibitions on the use of frontal protection systems supplied as separate technical units. My Department is considering how best such restrictions may be applied.