Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

More than 100,000 people, the majority of whom are young, are on a waiting list for the driving test. A number of them have been on the list for more than 12 months. The Minister for Transport has tried to implement a scheme over the past 12 months, which would have involved outsourcing driver testing, to reduce the backlog. However, two weeks ago, the Civil Service arbitrator shot it out of the water and turned it down on the basis that an article in Sustaining Progress prevents the outsourcing of core business. Senator O'Toole stated the grand prize was delivered but, in return, reform and delivery of service should be provided. I would like a debate on Sustaining Progress. The article in Sustaining Progress has hampered all Departments and it has implications for them in the delivery of services. It should, therefore, be debated. I would also like the Minister for Transport to come to the House to outline how he proposes to deal with the waiting list over the next 12 months. The backlog is not entirely of his own making but he has been hampered over the past 12 months in his attempts to resolve this issue, which is costing young people thousands of euro in premia they should not have to pay. I seek debates on Sustaining Progress, which has hampered the Government, and on how the issue of driver testing should be resolved.