Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the statements of the Minister of State but he should note that it is the inconsistencies that have really infuriated the public. All Senators, including those on the opposite side of the House, have had genuine representations made to them by angry people who have been let down by inconsistencies in the system. In most cases, they pertain to small matters. If the Minister of State were to accept the motion being put forward by this side of the House, it would help in this regard.

I have come across a few cases that I have not had time to outline in my proposal. The owner of a car whose number plate bulb is not working will be charged for a retest in one case and not in another. In the latter case, the staff at the centre will simply ascertain whether the bulb has been replaced. This is an inconsistency. If a car is failed for having a worn tyre, it is put up on a ramp in some retests, thus incurring a charge, and in other cases the mechanic simply makes sure the tyre has been changed and passes it without charging. This is also an inconsistency.

There are only two places to which people from Belmullet in my county can go to get their cars tested, namely, Westport, which is 60 miles away and Ballina, which is 45 miles away. If a motorist has his car tested at 9 a.m. and is told it will pass if he gets new wipers, he goes immediately to the nearest garage to get them only to discover that his car will not be re-examined until after 4 p.m., in spite of his being 60 miles from home. Such motorists are forced to sit around all day. Something could be done in such cases.

It has been brought to my attention that some testers comment unfavourably on work that has been carried out by garages. This is inappropriate. It has also been brought to my attention that some operators advise people of garages in which to have the repairs carried out; this too is inappropriate. I hope the Minister of State will examine these issues.