Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for Transport when the decision was made that school buses have to be to pull-test standard; the authority which was responsible for this decision; the basis for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34018/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason Bus Éireann was given the responsibility to set the standard for seat belts in school buses; the reason that standard was not set by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34026/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.

In June 2006 my predecessor approved certification criteria for safety belt installations in buses (both school buses and other buses) based on the standards for safety belt installations under the EU motor vehicle type-approval system, and with a indicative introduction date of 1 September 2008. Prior to June 2006, Bus Éireann had already fitted safety belts to its buses used in the school transport scheme, based on those same standards.

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No 477 of 2006), the Road Safety Authority is now responsible for vehicle standards including standards for safety belt installations on buses.

In January 2008 the RSA notified stakeholders of its intention to review the certification requirements for safety belt installations in buses and that the September 2008 planned introduction of these requirements was being deferred pending the outcome of that review. That review is continuing.