Mr. Mark Synnott:

I will make a couple of points. The Deputy is correct about averages and how they can mask a lot. However, customers who want an appointment have the ability to add themselves to our priority waiting list and we are able to get them appointments with 28 days or they get their tests free. I do not necessarily share the narrative that people have to wait four, five or six months to get an appointment.

The Deputy suggested remodelling the NCT to work from the testing date and a new expiry date. That is widely recognised as poor practice within road safety initiatives in other countries. Many other countries have made that mistake. It introduces an incentive to delay testing. From my understanding of other jurisdictions, that typically increases the non-compliance rate. Customers only present their vehicles for three out of four tests. It is not good practice and not something I would propose to the Road Safety Authority. I do not think, wearing a road safety hat, it would be given genuine consideration.