Written answers

Tuesday, 10 May 2011

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

National Car Test

9:00 pm

Photo of Joe CareyJoe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale used by him and the national car test in determining that cars of more than ten years require testing every 12 months from June 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10517/11]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test. In accordance with EU Directive 96/96/EU, all Member States are required to have arrangements in place for the compulsory periodic roadworthiness testing of motor vehicles and trailers registered by them. Implementation of a system of roadworthiness testing of passenger cars in Ireland commenced in January 2000 through the National Car Testing Service (NCTS).

In 2008, the RSA reviewed the car testing specification and, following this review, proposed that a number of new test items be introduced to the National Car Test (NCT). A public consultation process was conducted by the RSA on the proposals in 2009 and, having considered the views received, the RSA recommended that the proposals, including annual testing of cars over ten years old, be introduced to the NCT. The recommendations were accepted and approved by my predecessor.

The NCT is a preventative road safety measure that ensures vehicles, particularly older vehicles, using our roads are in sound working order. In the course of its review, the RSA found that almost half (47%) of collisions that occurred in 2007 involved vehicles that were nine years old or more. In addition, 45% of serious injuries from collisions in 2007 involved vehicles that were nine years old or more. There is a need to ensure that older vehicles are frequently maintained and that dangerous or defective vehicles are not on our roads.

I intend to monitor the introduction of this new regime and in conjunction with the NRA review its effectiveness as appropriate.

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