Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1263: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has considered introducing in conjunction with the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Environment, Heritage and Local Government changes to the types of exhausts acceptable on cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2684/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Since 13 September 2006 as a consequence of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 responsibility for matters relating to vehicle standards, including exhaust systems, has passed to the Road Safety Authority.

It is a requirement for the registration and entry into service of new motor vehicles in the European Union that they have type-approval in accordance with Directive 70/157/EEC as amended by Directive 1999/101/EC, which sets down the permissible sound levels and exhaust systems for motor vehicles. Vehicle in-service standards are specified in the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 which requires vehicles to be fitted with a silencer or other device that is suitable and sufficient for reducing to a reasonable level the noise caused by the escape of exhaust gases from the engine. Article 85 of these Regulations prohibits the use in a public place of a vehicle which causes excessive noise.

An examination of the silencer to assess its effectiveness in reducing noise is part of the NCT. It is an offence to use in a public place a vehicle which causes excessive noise. Enforcement of the law in this regard is a matter for the Garda Síochána.