Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The contract with this particular company was rolled over for another ten years in 2020. A contract is a two-way thing and they are reaching their contractual obligations. If I were to apply for a test for my own car, for example, the first available date at my nearest centre is 24 August. I had a look nationally at the 49 centres and none of them come in within the 28 days in terms of the information that is published on their website. In fact, nobody has been given what the RSA advertises as a free test if they do not comply with that. Why is that? Who would pay for that? Is that a penalty on the company? Why is it not offering that given that it is on its website? Has the Minister of State asked the RSA about that?

There are really serious issues with regard to, for example, when something goes wrong. If there was an accident, would a non-valid NCT lead to a loss adjuster mitigating a payout? It is all very well saying that the companies will be pragmatic and understanding, but people are not in compliance because the system is not capable of being in compliance.

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