Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I was happy to sign and support this motion, which promotes workable solutions to the current unacceptable circumstances in regard to the issuing driving licences. For many people, including those with poor or no broadband, those who want to use cash and those who expect the State to provide a quality public service for the issuing of driving licenses, the service is not fit for purpose.

Covid-19 saw the temporary cessation of walk-in services for driving licence applications. Now most public offices have reopened and services are returning to normal as much as possible. We are all learning to live with Covid. Why is the NDLS not learning to live with it? We cannot stand over the diminution of the service under the pretext that Covid is somehow responsible.

What we are considering here is the wider issue of the privatisation of services, on foot of which the quality of service is not factored in and the lowest bidder that can provide the most basic service is the one that is chosen. Time and again, I have heard about the EU public procurement directive. Two things need to be said about it. First, it gives member states the opportunity to include social clauses, but that is up to their governments. Second, and most crucially, who in the Department or RSA is responsible for writing the tender specifications? That is what matters. That is why I expect that An Post was not awarded the tender. I do not know the details but believe that if a requirement for a network of 75 officers were stipulated, perhaps with two per county and a few extra in the larger counties, An Post would then be in a much better position to tender for the contract. That would have helped to sustain the network.

I understand a procurement process must be open and fair, but it must be drafted to ensure a quality service. When a local post office is closing, every Government Deputy and councillor goes to the public meeting calling for a reversal of the decision; yet, because the Government outsources the process to the RSA, which outsources it to a private company, the Government representatives and the rest of us are wasting our time. The Government and RSA hide behind public procurement regulations. If there were a proactive Government policy to ensure the sustainability of the An Post network, the tender documents would be written in a way that would ensure a quality walk-in service for Irish drivers. Then, at least, An Post would be on a level playing field when applying.

The Minister is not present, which I am sorry about, but I listened carefully to her when she spoke about the public services card. She said a public services card is not necessary to make an appointment, and she is right. Before I came into the Chamber, I looked at the NDLS website and checked out exactly what it states.

It states:

Applying online is a simple, straightforward process...

All you need is your Public Services Card and your verified MyGovID for safe, secure access to your online application.

Already have a verified MyGovID account? Apply Now.

If you haven’t got a verified MyGovID account but have a Public Services Card? You’re almost there. You can set up your verified MyGovID account using your public services card at www.mygovid.ie.

Then comes the final kicker:

Don’t yet have a Public Services Card? You can book a Public Service Card (PSC) appointment by phoning your local Intreo office.

I wish the Minister were here because this is a three-card trick. Who decided that a public services card was needed to apply online? Was it the Swiss company providing the service? Was it written into the tender documents? Was it the RSA? Was it the Government? This is a simple question and I would appreciate an answer.

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