Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This amendment should not have been tabled as being part of the Road Traffic Bill 2014. It is a matter more suited to the Order of Business and I ask Senator Power to withdraw her amendment.

The Minister pointed out the average waiting times. We have also experienced waiting. I have gone online and tried to book an NCT only to see a waiting time of between four and six weeks. The Minister did say that if one rings a centre more than likely it will facilitate an applicant with a test. This problem is also the result of the Irish psyche because we leave everything until the last minute. The onus is on a person to make sure that his or her car has its NCT just the same as the onus is on a person to have his or her road tax in order. The Minister cannot help it if somebody only applies for the NCT the day before it is due to expire. The Irish psyche is at play. I compliment the RSA on its advertisements for the past few weeks which highlight the fact that NCT centres will be very busy in December and January because a lot of cars are sold in January and its a busy time for testing. I compliment the RSA for pointing out this fact to people.

I ask Senator Power to withdraw her amendment. The Minister can give a report to this House on the Order of Business or as an Adjournment matter. I do not think the motion should be included in a serious Bill that calls on the Minister, by 15 January, to lay a report before the House. He has pointed out that he has carried out surveys, through his Department, on waiting times at different test centres for the NCT. I do not think this matter should be put into legislation.