Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)

I have two brief comments. First, in regard to the RSA and the discussions with PricewaterhouseCooper and the AA who audit and supervise the NCT service, I would be interested to find out further information on how they perform that audit and how they look for fraud. I read that they use the same car, bringing it to all the centres to ensure the service is uniform. My fear is that if officials who engage in fraudulent behaviour twig that this is the car in question they can advise another person in another centre to watch out for it and to be careful.

As to the confidential hotline and e-mail address, last week there was a Private Members' debate in the Seanad on whistleblower legislation. I would be very conscious that the trade of mechanic is a very hard one at present because of the recession. People are very afraid for their jobs and the accompanying ramifications. Nobody wants to be the person who comes forward. Are people covered if they do so? I realise the process is confidential and may be anonymous but nonetheless if a person in a test centre makes allegations against his or her colleagues it might be easy to identify him or her as having ratted on them. I hate that term but that is what will be said to the person. Is the protection in place?