Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators for their contributions. It is quite obvious that this matter exercises people greatly in their own areas but it is universal. It features outside Donegal, on which this debate has largely concentrated. It affects every county and every testing location. The best performance is in Kilrush, where the is an eight-week delay. The delays elsewhere can extend to over 20 weeks. As I have already said, this is not satisfactory. I agree with everybody who said so. It has obviously taken the testers by surprise. One cannot solve this overnight. One cannot appoint testers overnight; it has to be done gradually.

The Road Safety Authority is more than aware of this issue, thanks to the contributions of various Senators. I have spoken to the authority about this on several occasions. I am satisfied the matter is being addressed as a matter of urgency and that the numbers and waiting times could be reduced, not only in Donegal. I believe the measures I have outlined today will have an effect. They were also outlined in the House last week. It is a matter of tracking the number of driver testers and the delivery of 120 extra overtime tests per driver tester. Senator O'Mahony referred to the number of no-shows. It is an extraordinary number. It results from people applying who do not really intend to go for a test at all. Many telephone calls are being made and a considerable number of people are saying they are not actually going to turn up. The slots are then filled extremely efficiently by telephoning people who are regarded as a priority and who want a test urgently. New driving testers are being appointed. A large amount of overtime is being grabbed up by testers. There is a new driver-booking system being introduced. Therefore, the matter is being addressed fairly aggressively and effectively.

I take the points made by Senators on their own areas and the difficulties in those areas. I understand them and the figures that are being given to us here today. They are correct. I must issue a warning about quoting figures, however. The figures quoted here last week were not accurate. According to the Official Report, Senator Boyhan said the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, said the current national average waiting time for a driving test is 14 weeks. The Senator then said, "I can tell him that this is not the case." It is the case. The Senator should be careful about what he says. I acknowledge he is making a case but he should be careful with his figures. The Senator stated: "Nowhere in the more than 50 centres does the waiting time meet the target of 20 weeks." I do not know where the Senator got the target of 20 weeks. There is no 20-week target. He should be careful.

You went on to say: "I reiterate that the waiting time in Buncrana is 19 weeks, in Donegal it is 24 weeks and in Letterkenny it is 21 weeks." That is not correct. All those three figures are completely inaccurate. Those figures that you are quoting are ones that-----