Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Transport when he proposes to introduce legislation for the compulsory fitting of cyclops mirrors to all large vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30042/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Since 13 September 2006 as a consequence of the Road Safety Authority (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 responsibility for matters relating to vehicle standards, including requirements in relation to mirrors on vehicles, has passed to the Road Safety Authority. Prior to the Road Safety Authority taking over the responsibility for these matters, I had made considerable progress on the issue of the voluntary fitting of vision-enhancing mirrors to HGVs and buses and I have no doubt that the Road Safety Authority will continue in that vein working with the motor trade and other stakeholders to ensure best practice in relation to these critically important motor components.

I am favourably disposed, as is the Road Safety Authority, to the compulsory fitment of cyclops mirrors to existing HGVs and buses. However, before such a requirement could be introduced it would be necessary for a regulatory impact assessment of the proposal to be carried out and for the European Commission to be consulted. The RSA has indicated to me that it will soon embark on undertaking such an assessment of the proposal and will prepare, for public consultation, a draft regulation to bring about a compulsory situation, which the Authority may submit to me in due course.