Written answers
Tuesday, 14 June 2022
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Proposed Legislation
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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286. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he intends to introduce appropriate legislation to require that written-off vehicles undergo an independent technical inspection post-repair and pre re-registration in the State to ensure that the vehicle has been repaired using manufacturers recommended procedures; if he intends that the code of practice similar to that of a British organisation (details supplied) will be unilaterally implemented in the State, including the requirement for an appropriately qualified person advanced programme qualification to only allowed to inspect and categorise damaged vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29621/22]
Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 currently before the Oireachtas provides for an amendment to the Part 2 Written-off Vehicle provisions contained within the 2016 Road Traffic Act. Once the current Road Traffic and Roads Bill makes its way through the Oireachtas to enactment, Part 2 of the 2016 Act will be commenced soon thereafter.
Part 2 of the Road Traffic Act 2016 will make it mandatory for insurance companies providing insurance for Irish registered vehicles, to notify the Department within a specified timeframe, when an Irish registered vehicle is categorised as a written-off vehicle upon inspection by the insurance company.
Once enacted, when a Category A or B written-off vehicle is notified to the Department, the vehicle will have its record locked. It will then not be possible to tax such a vehicle or to complete a Change of Vehicle Ownership process. These measures are key to ensuring that unsuspecting buyers do not purchase such vehicles. Category A and B vehicles are deemed not suitable to be repaired and the vehicle cannot go back on the road (End-of-life vehicle).
Further information in relation to Written-Off Vehicles is available at: www.rsa.ie/road-safety/road-users/car-drivers/resources/written-off-vehicles.
While I understand that the UK Code of Practice for insurance companies you refer to, is a voluntary code, there are currently no proposals at present to introduce such a code in this State.
The registration of vehicles in the State and any documentation required is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.
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