Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee at such short notice. I know it has been a rough enough meeting but, at the end of the day, we have a public role and everyone wants to get to the same end. Bringing the NCT waiting times back to 12 days by quarter 2 of next year is too late. Bringing driving test waiting times back to ten weeks by quarter 2 of next year is too late. We ask the RSA to look at what additional resources it needs. Ideally, we would like it to be before the end of the year, or otherwise early in the new year, that the waiting times are reduced to those benchmarks of NCTs being within 12 days and driving tests within ten weeks. We would be fully supportive of any additional resources required. We will follow up with the RSA on this matter.

We thank witnesses for being so open, which is important because the facts are the facts and, in fairness to them, they have been very forthcoming with facts. The committee is here to assist. It is a huge issue on the ground with the public because it affects every man and woman who drives. It affects businesses in a big way and has a daily impact. There are just a few issues outstanding. Ultimately, it is about bringing the waiting times down. There is that continual exposure, particularly with the NCT but also with the issue of insurance, where people are being stopped by members of An Garda Síochána, and while the gardaí are being pragmatic, people are getting penalty points and there is severe worry in that regard. We ask the RSA to interlink with the Garda system properly and effectively. At least then if a garda stops someone, it will come up on the system that the person has applied for an NCT.

I thank Mr. Waide and Mr. Walsh for assisting the committee in this important matter. Nothing here is personal; it is just a job we have to do.