Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

"Iris Oifigiúil" of 18th October, 2011.

I, LEO VARADKAR, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 35 (2)(s) of the Road Traffic Act 1994 (No. 7 of 1994) and the National Roads and Road Traffic (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2002 ( S.I. No. 298 of 2002 ) (as adapted by the Transport (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2011 ( S.I. No. 141 of 2011 )), hereby make the following regulations:

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Road Traffic (Bus Lanes) (Exemption) Regulations 2011.

2. (1) Regulation 32(2) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 ( S.I. No. 182 of 1997 ), does not apply to an authorised vehicle, identified in accordance with this Regulation, being driven by an authorised driver, in which is being carried, a member of the Government, a Minister of State who regularly attends meetings of the Government, the Attorney General or the Ceann Comhairle, in the course of his or her duties as such.

(2) The Minister may authorise vehicles and drivers for the purposes of this Regulation and specify the form of identification to be attached to the windscreen of a vehicle to which the Regulation applies.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

12 October 2011.

LEO VARADKAR,

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This does not form part of the instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

These regulations provide for an exemption from the prohibition on using bus lanes for cars carrying holders of certain offices while on official business.