Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Transport the likely steps he or his Department have taken to ensure the availability of seatbelts in the public transport fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21874/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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At present, buses having a design gross weight not exceeding 3,500 kilograms first registered since 1 January 1992 require to be fitted with safety belts, in which case, safety belts are required for the driver and each forward facing front seat passenger. Following the adoption of a number of directives relating to safety belts and restraint systems in motor vehicles by the Council and European Parliament on 7 September 2005, it will be mandatory for all new buses (other than buses used in stage-stop services, e.g. Bus Átha Cliath services) entering into service from 20 October 2007 to be fitted with safety belts in accordance with the technical specifications laid down in these directives. There are no requirements under the directives for safety belts to be retrofitted in existing vehicles. The Directives were transposed into Irish law by means of the European Communities (Mechanically Propelled Vehicles Entry Into Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 and the European Communities (Motor Vehicles Type-Approval) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2006 as regards type approval and entry into service of vehicles.