A NEW army of government inspectors has been slowly gathering strength while their fleet of 14 vans were lying idle for three years. They will eventually be used by the National Metrology Laboratory, which checks weights and measures used in trade.
The enactment of complex legislation and the seconding of staff of a new metrology office led to 14 vans - bought with public money - lying idle for near three years, a spokesman for the Department of Enterprise and Employment said.
The 14 Fiat Ducato vans, with 1994 registrations, were bought for £179,000 - £12,800 each - and have depreciated in value by £4,000 each through disuse at a car-park at the Office of Public Works, Inchicore.
"There was a complete overhaul of the legislation on it and ongoing discussions," the spokesman said yesterday.
The National Metrology Laboratory was established under the control of the state agency, Forbairt, last May 12th, following the enactment of the National Metrology Act 1990, which replaced the 1878 Act.
It has responsibility to regulate weights and measures and calibration of machines used for trade purposes. "It includes all types of glass measures in pubs, weigh bridges, weight instruments in meat factories," one Department official said.