Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

Like others, I raised this matter back in February. There has been very little, if any, progress since that time. What is happening is quite frustrating for TDs constituents. This is not really a local issue, although I do want to raise a local aspect in a moment. There has been no real progress since February. I mentioned at the time the need to implement the service level agreement requirement of ten weeks as is set out in section 28 of the Road Safety Authority Act. When replying, will the Minister to State indicate if there are any real consequences for the RSA if this is not done?

I listened to the Minister of State's introductory speech. I welcome the fact that the RSA will have to report on various matters at two-week intervals. We will monitor that and see how it goes. I am not sure whether this will result in the system being any quicker but at least we will know in real time what is happening.

None of this explains the historic delays. Covid was mentioned. We have passed the fifth anniversary of the Covid restrictions at this stage, and we should have been addressing the backlog well in advance. While I very much welcome the current Government initiative, its arrival was belated. That is something we have to be careful of.

We need more driving test centres. Other TDs mentioned that there are requirements in their areas. In south Dublin, we used to have a number of centres in Churchtown and in the Terenure-Rathfarnham area. We have one in Tallaght at present. The RSA is looking at bringing one back in the south Dublin area. I have written to the authority to suggest that need two - one on the Lucan-Clondalkin side and the other in the south.

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