445 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the failure rate of catalytic converters in the NCT; if his Department has researched the claim that such converters cause more damage to the environment during manufacture than protection during the lifetime of use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8848/04]

A catalytic converter forms part of a vehicle's overall emission control system and is designed to treat vehicle engine gases by removing harmful pollutants. The emissions element of the NCT measures the exhaust gases of a vehicle for compliance with specified limit values. Failure of the NCT for exceeding a specified emission limit value could arise for a number of reasons, including a defective catalytic converter. However, as the NCTS is not a diagnostic service for vehicle faults, identification of individual factors contributing to the failure of a car on emissions grounds does not form part of the NCT and accordingly no such data on defective catalytic converters is available.

All new cars sold in the European Union must have Whole Vehicle Type Approval, WVTA. WVTA requires cars to meet the requirements set out in a series of separate type-approval directives including Directive 70/220/EEC, as amended, relating to vehicle emissions. This directive provides for the type-approval of emissions systems including catalytic converters.