Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We need urgency. I know the Department is considering and analysing it but for public confidence, it needs to demonstrate urgency. This is what people want. The witnesses have told the committee that the Department is looking at it and wants to get it done on public transit. However, there is no reason it cannot be done across the board. The officials should ask the Government, if necessary, to put in place emergency legislation to make it mandatory. With respect, that is what needs to be done.

Another issue that arose during this morning's session was that of the use of screens in taxis. The NTA does not have a preferred screen in the context of protecting taxi drivers and their customers. At the same time, however, a person who installs a screen is essentially breaking the law and will probably have an insurance issue as a result. Can we not find common ground in order that we might make recommendations? This is not rocket science. I am responsible for two initiatives taken up by NPHET.

I am not an expert but I look at these things and speak to the people concerned, and logic tells us what we need to do and they can be done. I am frustrated today as I ask why these things cannot be done and as I listen to what we are hearing. I accept that the Department has a remit and must look at this in the round, but it is not rocket science. These are simple measures that would give confidence to the public and employers, would show the country we are trying to mitigate the disease and would not make simple solutions difficult to implement. The witnesses can come back to me in writing on the screens for the taxis.

I have received correspondence from a person with a limo business who works at weddings. The gentleman says his vehicles must pass an NCT every six months and the cars are then booked in for a suitability test, which is an inspection to grant the licence. He pays every six months for the service and licence. This gentleman paid over the phone for a suitability test, which was then cancelled due to the lockdown. He was refunded for the booking but during the lockdown he had also paid for the NCT for a number of cars, which have been idle for a number of months. When he tried to book again he was informed that he has seven days in which to complete the booking and, if not, the NCT for the cars will have to be done again. He has received no reimbursement for the NCTs and is now expected to carry out 13 NCTs in the next seven days or face a €500 fine per car.

Can we please address this type of nonsense and lack of joined-up thinking? People in business are at their wits' end. Various Departments dealing with Government regulation do not speak to each other and small business people are being hammered time and again. They cannot get into business and when they are in business all they have is one regulation to meet after another. I implore the Department.

There is also an issue with driving tests. I know of a young lady who has graduated college. She has been offered a fantastic job, one of only three in the country, and needs a full driver's licence to get the job but she cannot get a test. She has been told by this multinational company that if she does not have a full driver's licence by September, it cannot offer her the job because it is a contract of employment. I am running around trying to see how we can get her a driving test. We are told there is no safe way for a driving test to be completed. Dual-driving cars could have a screen placed in them and we could certainly get emergency driving tests done. Is this an unfeasible ask?