Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I support calls for a debate on transport. There has been a great deal of debate about congestion on the M50 and the proposals to build an outer ring road. We must have a balanced debate about this matter, particularly in view of the fact that life exists outside Dublin and the M50. People in many parts of the country must endure congestion and delays on a daily basis and it would be important to set the entire record straight in respect of the roads building programme.

The issue of driver testing has arisen in recent times. I understand the Government has, for some time, promised to establish a statutory agency to deal with this matter. Perhaps the Leader will outline the position in that regard or obtain information regarding the timeframe for the introduction of the relevant information. If a statutory agency with responsibility for these matters was put in place, much of the backlog and many of the delays causing difficulties for young drivers on provisional licences who are trying to obtain their full licences would be cleared up. This is a major issue in rural areas where people are obliged to travel long distances to work. It is particularly difficult for those young people who are obliged to have a person with a full licence to travel with them on their journeys. To allow them remain within the law, it would be better to get the backlog out of the way as quickly as possible.