Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

The current system is largely the same as the previous one. The contractors involved have changed as a result of a tender process which was established following the completion of the previous contract. SGS provided a reasonably good service, although it was not without its problems and there were complaints from Members about some aspects of it.

I am aware of the difficulties. I visited the RSA recently and I was briefed fully on the new contract, which includes penalty clauses, meaning that the company will lose money as a result of not meeting certain criteria on the notification of tests and so on. If people are not informed within four weeks, they are entitled to a free test and that is at the expense of A Plus rather than at the expense of the taxpayer. There is a very good contract in place and I commend those who put it in there.

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