Mr. Brendan Walsh:

First, the sanction we originally received from the Department of Transport for 30 permanent driver tests was based on statistical data. Over the past 12 months, we looked into other areas. We looked at the number of people who were teaching people how to drive. We were looking at the number of people who were applying for learner permits who were on their journey. Rather than just taking a flat look at who was applying, we looked at the pipeline that was leading in. It can take somebody 12 to 18 months to go through that pipeline before they will actually sit their test.

Certainly, over the past three quarters in particular, I expected or hoped to see the number actually decrease, but it has increased in some areas and has stabilised in others. For me, if there are six quarters that are at a sustained level, that is bordering on a new trend. That new trend is significantly above the previous ten years. We have to be mindful that if we were to increase the number of our permanent driver testers, and then that number dropped, we would not be doing our job. We would be exposing the Exchequer to a resource that may not be utilised. I believe the approach we have taken with the Department of Transport is the correct one. We have 130 permanent testers. They have provided us with a sanction to recruit up to 75 more on a temporary basis. During the period of that sanction, we will now look and decide what the new norm is. If required, we will go back to the Department of Transport and ask for a further-----