Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1616. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations in place with regards to frontal protection systems commonly known as bull bars; and the person or body that is in charge of enforcing these regulations. [38672/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Frontal protection systems, either fitted by a vehicle manufacturer or supplied as a separate technical unit and intended for fitting to new passenger cars and light goods vehicles, must meet the requirements of EC Regulation 78/2009, which was transposed into Irish law in the Road Vehicles Entry into Service Regulations (S.I. No. 157 of 2009) and the Mechanically Propelled Vehicle Entry into Service (S.I. No. 448 of 2007).

Systems for fitment to these vehicles must satisfy a number of tests before they can be type-approved for use on new vehicles. Also, type-approved frontal protection systems can only be distributed, offered for sale or sold when accompanied by a list of vehicle types for which the frontal protection system is type approved, as well as clear assembly instructions. The proof that it meets with the requirements is the presence of an e-mark. All systems fitted or made available for fitting to new vehicles at registration or before entry in to service since 21 May 2007 must bear an e-mark. If it does not, then the vehicle should not be registered or allowed entry into service.

Once vehicles are in service they must adhere to the requirements set out in the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment & Use of Vehicles) Regulations (S.I. No. 190 of 1963). Regulation 32 states that vehicles “shall not have any inessential object in a position where it is likely to strike any person involved in a collision with the vehicle, unless injury is not likely to be caused by reason of the projection of the object”. Furthermore Regulation 96 states that “every vehicle while used in a public place shall be such, and so maintained and used, that no danger is likely to be caused to any person”. Owners or drivers of vehicles breaching these regulations may be found guilty of an offence under Section 11 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.

Enforcement of the Road Traffic Regulations is a matter for An Garda Síochána.