Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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881. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures taken to ensure that second-hand imported tyres comply with safety regulations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14596/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​It is the legal responsibility of the owner and driver of a vehicle to ensure that, when used in a public place, their vehicle meets with the Road Traffic Regulations with respect to tyres.  These regulations require that each tyre has a tread depth of at least 1.6mm and is maintained in a condition fit for purpose and free from defects. When undergoing the National Car Test or Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test, all vehicles have their tyres inspected for tread depth, condition and the presence of 'E' marks.

The RSA has provided a Guide to Tyre Safety on its website which advises consumers as to what to look out for if they are considering buying used tyres.

It is an offence to use a vehicle with defective or worn tyres. This offence currently carries a fine not exceeding €1,000 on summary conviction in the case of a first offence.  Legal provision also exists under section 54(d) the Road Traffic Act 2010 for making this a fixed charge offence which will attract 2 penalty points on the payment of a fixed charge and 4 points on conviction in Court. In consultation with An Garda Síochána and the RSA, I am proposing to commence this section in the summer.

The import and sale of second-hand tyres is not a regulated activity.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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882. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the continuing tragic loss of lives on roads; the measures he is currently putting in place to curb these numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14683/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The number of deaths on Irish roads is a major concern, particularly in the context of the increase in fatalities seen in 2013 and 2014, marking the first increase in fatalities since 2005.

The Road Safety Strategy 2013 to 2020 contains 144 Actions to be implemented by the various agencies involved with the objective of making Ireland among the safest countries for road safety.

My officials and I meet regularly with all of the bodies and agencies that have responsibility for road safety, to ensure that all necessary measures are identified and taken to improve safety on our roads.  The Ministerial Committee on Road Safety meets twice per year, most recently on 8 December 2014, to review implementation of the Strategy.

Aside from the Strategy, the Road Traffic Act 2014, introduced measures which will further contribute to road safety including Graduated Driver Licensing measures, adjustments to the penalty points system, and increasing demerits for the most dangerous offences.

Work is already underway on the drafting of the Road Traffic Bill 2015 which will further strengthen legislation on intoxicated driving including providing for roadside testing for drugs with devices to detect a range of commonly used drugs at the roadside.

The Bill will also create for the first time a register of written-off vehicles, provide for a number of adjustments to the penalty point system, and provide a legislative underpinning for new arrangements with the UK on mutual recognition of driving disqualifications.

I am satisfied that the actions set out in the Road Safety Strategy will be sufficient to allow Ireland to continue to make progress towards the objectives of reducing road deaths set out in the Strategy.