Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent)

Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire Stáit. Again, on this subject, we have unity in the House. We have a shambolic and an extortionate process that must change as a matter of urgency. I will ask a few questions as to why. Is there a problem with testers? Are there human resource issues? Is it population increase related? Is it a symptom of a public transport deficit? If we do not analyse the reasons, then we will not come to timely solutions.

Taking County Meath in its entirety, one test centre in Navan has a 42-week to 43-week wait time. Believe it or not, Meath is actually classed as a rural county so the necessity for driving and driver permits is extremely important. Apprenticeships were referenced. It is highly impactful, with delays for apprentices, for students getting to college, for the carers of those who are most vulnerable, or for carers who are non-Irish nationals and are waiting for their test in order to travel to clients.

I will end on this point. I do not mean to be challenging, but who will take this problem by the scruff of the neck as a matter of urgency and sort it out?

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