Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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195.To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had any engagement with car manufacturing companies to discuss the modifications they could implement to assist with road safety that is, if mobile phones would disable in a car once the ignition is turned on. [31468/24]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish State does not normally mandate retrofitting of specific vehicle after-market technology, beyond the requirements of EU vehicle type-approval, and cannot promote the use of specific commercial products, as this may distort competition. While I welcome developments in road safety in private vehicles, any proposal to mandate retrofitted technology would need to be evidence-based and based on expert advice. It is my view that such developments are best progressed at EU level.

The Deputy may also wish to note that certain handsets already provide similar functionality and can be locked or placed into “driving mode” in a way which is triggered by the vehicle ignition being turned on. Whilst this and other similar advances can enhance road safety, it is equally the case that personal responsibility must also feature, particularly in the light of the increasing distractions which technology and devices can pose to modern drivers.