Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Much of this is somewhat repetitive. I thank Mr. Brophy for his presentation, which was very welcome. A number of driving instructors have been in touch with me. Their biggest concern is they do not feel they will be able to cope with the demand to feed into the driver tests when they start to be rolled out. We had a presentation from the RSA and we have an idea, or indication, about what it will do in terms of putting extra staff in place. However, there is little point having these options for people to do their test if, in truth, they have not done the basic training with the ADIs.

Is there anything further Mr. Brophy can add to our job of work in trying to deal with that? It flies in the face of what he has indicated, but is it possible to allow people sit the test who do not have the current required hours with a driving instructor, if they are deemed fit to take it? There are some people who, based on their experience or skill sets, will pass a test first time with little or no direct training. There are others who will have to take an inordinate amount of training to get to the necessary standard. Is there anything that could be done, at ADI level, to pre-screen candidates the ADIs decide are fit to sit the test?