Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)

The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, said on 1 May, "The current delays in the driver testing system are simply not acceptable." He also said, "People deserve a national driver testing service that they can rely upon", and that he will continue to hold the RSA to account until we see meaningful progress. To be honest, we are all fed up of hearing the same old line over and over again. I have young adults and their parents texting and ringing me. They are begging me - as is the case with everyone here - to get driving tests for them. All we get back as TDs are the same generic answers and the usual spin.

Previous speakers referred to 35- and 43-week waiting times in Tallaght. I am delighted they got a second testing centre, and they deserve that. People in Skibbereen are waiting between 40 and 44 weeks for driving tests. For example, I am aware of the case of a young lad went to sit his test recently. The tester checked his insurance disc and said it was not valid as it was black. In fact, it was a dark green. I saw it because the young man brought it into the constituency office. A blind man would have seen what colour it was. The tester informed him he would not do the test for him and then went on to cancel other tests for that date - he obviously had a bad day - citing some excuse or other. The Garda has told the young lad his disc is correct. The insurance company has sent a letter to the RSA stating this was a correct disc but the latter will not admit that what happened to this young lad was wrong. I have asked the RSA to deal with this matter but to no avail.

I have young adults being offered jobs but they cannot take them up because they cannot get driving tests. The other side of it is that their insurance costs are not getting any lower because they have not passed their tests. I have parents who have terminal cancer and who need their children on the road to take them to hospital and to appropriate appointments. They cannot do so, however, because they cannot get driving tests. It is not good enough. Things have to change, and change immediately.

See this speech in context