Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses to the meeting and am happy to support their ratification in the roles. I ask about waiting times for driving tests, particularly around Cork. There was a list of 5,936 in October for the three Cork test centres so could that be addressed by the Road Safety Authority? It is important.

The RSA's advertising campaign was brilliant and it resonated with people. There are three elements involved with this, including education, enforcement and engineering. There is a deficit in engineering and that involves the councils and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII. I hope the RSA can address that. I have a "hobby horse" issue in the way the speed vans and Garda checkpoints are located on motorways in particular. I hope they are not a money-making exercise. I am 100% supportive of the need for enforcement and the reduction of fatalities, and I commend the RSA on its work in this regard.

I thank Ms O'Donnell, who is underselling herself. She followed the late Mr. Gay Byrne in the role but she is doing so with distinction. She is creating her own niche and I hope she continues to do so. I met Mr. Grant before when he worked in a previous role. I hope this work will not be as stressful. He comes with a great track record and I wish him well.