Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I commend Deputy McNamara and his colleagues on bringing forward this excellent and timely motion. The Government and agencies with which people must interact are going out of their way to make life more difficult than it needs to be. There seems to be no sense of pragmatism or common sense at times. Where is the common sense in the NDLS? Ever since it was rolled out in 2013 it has been beset with difficulties. The new requirement for a public services card before being able to access the NDLS is ridiculous. It needs to be looked at urgently.

As I understand it, the Data Protection Commission ruled after a two year investigation that the card is illegal in terms of being required to access public services other than those of the Department of Social Protection. The Data Protection Commission has also ruled the State must destroy the 3.2 million personal records held on cardholders. Yet here we are with the NDLS overruling the Data Protection Commission. What is really going on? In this respect the NDLS has acted without any apparent regard for the difficulties its decisions will create for thousands of motorists and those wishing to access an updated licence.

I wholeheartedly agree with the call in the motion to set up an open competitive tendering process in accordance with national and European Union procurement rules to provide a walk-in service at multiple centres throughout the State. I also agree the NDLS must allow cash payments to be accepted. It is absurd this is not the case already.

The motion refers to insufficient staffing that has led to further problems. This needs to be looked at. It is not good enough that people are trying to get through by telephone. It is just not happening and there are serious delays. This is an issue many of my constituents have raised with me. I would appreciate if these concerns can be addressed.

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