Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I believe in the old adage, Tús maith leath na hoibre. What is going on with the Road safety Authority, RSA? It is under the aegis of the Department of the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton. Some 100,000 people are waiting for driving theory tests and cannot get started on the road.

The Minister of State came into the Chamber to reply to a Topical Issue matter, which the Ceann Comhairle kindly allowed us some weeks ago, and told us that driver theory tests were not an essential service. It is a most essential service that allows people to go to work and to get on the road for silage and contracting. It will be an issue across industry if we cannot get these people tested.

People are getting appointments now for August that were applied for last December. The RSA seems to be busy now cancelling the tests rather than making any effort to deal with the issue. It is a screen test that can surely be done online. It beggars belief. The ineptitude of the Department of Transport and the RSA is such that they cannot allow theory tests to go ahead on-screen. It has to be addressed because it will cripple our industry and economy.

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