Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the delivery of the national car test. The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements. The testing function has been carried out since January 2010 by Applus, a global private company in compliance testing, under a contractual arrangement with the RSA.

Responsibility for the operation and delivery of the national car test service lies solely with Applus. The RSA exercises a supervisory role to ensure the service is provided in line with the conditions of the contract. In order to assist the RSA in carrying out this supervisory role, the authority has appointed a contractor to carry out certain supervisory services on its behalf. These relate to monitoring the achievement of the performance and acceptable standards by Applus, and reporting regularly to the RSA. The service is currently provided by a consortium made up of PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Automobile Association. The RSA continuously monitors the performance of Applus and has regular meetings with it to ensure compliance with contract requirements.

The RSA has met with Applus and the Garda Síochána to deal with the issues and corrupt activities highlighted by the recent "Prime Time" programme and to identify the appropriate action to be taken. I have requested the RSA to keep me fully informed of any developments on this matter. I saw the "Prime Time" programme and was shocked by what I saw. The first thing I did the next day was to contact the RSA to seek a report and to engage in discussions with it on the matter. Seven vehicle inspectors who were identified as a result of the programme have been suspended and three of those seven have now been dismissed. Action is being taken in that regard.

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