Results 2,821-2,840 of 10,460 for speaker:Gerry Horkan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss delays affecting the national car test, NCT, service and driver tests. We are joined by Mr. Sam Waide and Mr. Brendan Walsh of the Road Safety Authority, RSA, and Mr. Mark Synnott of Applus car testing. They are all very welcome. I will read out a note on privilege to both our witnesses and our members. Witnesses are reminded of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: I thank Mr. Waide.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: I thank Mr. Synnott and Mr. Waide for their comprehensive opening statements.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: Before I call Deputy Carey, I welcome Senator McGahon and the transition year students who are accompanying him. Aaron Dunne, Evan Fitzpatrick and Aoife Moriarty are here on transition year experience with Senator McGahon and they are all very welcome to our committee. They have been observing proceedings for a few minutes, so I hope they have had a nice time and will enjoy the rest of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: I hope we can have a second round for people who would like it. I will take the next slot for myself. In early January, I tried to book a car test for someone whose test was due about 13 January and the first date I got was 3 August. I managed by dipping in and out all day every day for a few days to get it back from 3 August to 31 July, 20 July, 7 June 3 May and then 20 April. However,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: I accept there is a benign and very pragmatic view being taken. However, is it a requirement for a car over four years old to have a valid in-date NCT certificate?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: I am not disputing the roadworthy bit. People keep coming back to the issue of being roadworthy. It is roadworthy, in my opinion. I try to make sure it is roadworthy. This particular car is not mine but belongs to somebody else close to me. I am asking about what the law is. We understand that everybody is taking a pragmatic approach, but is it not the law that a four-year-old car must...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: That is the point I am making, possibly on the Senator’s behalf but also on my own behalf.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: That is the point I am making. Usually, it is the Chair who interrupts other people rather than the other way around, but I thank the Senator for his support.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: I accept all the difficulties Applus has gone through and Mr. Synnott mentioned significant financial pressures, which slightly puzzles me given it is operating at more than 100% capacity. It is also being paid for tests that are not being done. I understand that if I book my test today, Applus takes the €55 from me today. It used not do that. People used to pre-book and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: When did that change?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: It is quite recent - just over a year ago. I have been looking for these famous slots that are being released three weeks in advance, but I do not see any extra slots. I am going on to it during the day, evening and night. I have the browser open in the background and I just dip in to see if there is something, I refresh the screen and all the rest of it. Occasionally something pops up....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: It was definitely not there two or three weeks ago.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: Is that a check box?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: Why is that not the case?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: My test is due in October. If I go on now, it will give a big flashing box about voluntary early testing. Would it not make sense for me at least to book a test in September or August, within the 90 days for October?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: I would not be subjected to the voluntary testing rules as long as the car is presented within the 90 days.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: I know what it is for. It is for garages and people buying cars and things-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: I can book a test now for October. So long as it is within the 90 days of that test in October, the cert will still be for October and the only difference is that Applus will have my €55 today.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerry Horkan: People may do that if they want. People are probably not aware of that because there is a big warning that they may fall due to voluntary testing.