Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this issue and congratulate him on his persistence in pursuing the subject, in particular through highlighting it to Moyagh Murdock, who is more responsible for it than I, although I am happy to convey to her later in the week the sentiments expressed by the Senator and to support the case he has made.

The provision of driving tests is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, RSA. I asked the RSA to provide information on this matter and the position it set out is as follows. All driving test centres across the country undertake car driving tests, with a smaller number also undertaking heavy goods vehicles, HGV, driving tests. HGV tests are scheduled in the larger test centres, including Galway city and are undertaken on a specified route covering a specified time and distance that becomes part of the driver tester’s schedule.

The HGV test requires certain features on a test route in order for the competence of the driver to be assessed. These features include roundabouts, junctions, traffic lights and locations for reversing manoeuvres. In the case of a HGV, given the size of the vehicles and the fact that they are being driven by learners, great care must be taken in creating test routes to ensure the safety of all road users. This is a particular concern for reversing manoeuvres, given the complexity of this exercise and the potential danger to others. This means that a HGV route will usually have very limited locations in which this reverse manoeuvre can be undertaken.

Over the past year, the RSA has encountered problems accessing locations for the HGV test in Galway due to the traffic volumes at these locations which have progressively made such manoeuvres unsafe. To the greatest extent possible, routes have been adapted to ensure all necessary elements of the test are being completed. However, in recent weeks the RSA had to curtail a number of tests because of the inability to acquire a safe location to undertake a reversing manoeuvre. The RSA has rescheduled these tests for a Saturday when traffic is not so heavy, although this does not provide a long-term solution to the problem, as the Senator pointed out, particularly in cases where job offers have been affected by the cancellations.

Over the past number of years, the RSA has unsuccessfully sought alternative locations to undertake HGV tests. The inability to secure an alternative location from which to conduct HGV tests generally relates to availability or suitability. However, the RSA is currently considering a number of locations as an immediate short-term measure so that it can continue to deliver HGV tests in Galway. The RSA continues to work with the Office of Public Works, OPW, which has responsibility for securing estate for the Road Safety Authority, on a longer term solution in Galway. I recognise the problem. The Senator has his finger on the button and I will relay his comments to the RSA and support the case he has made because this issue has immediate consequences for certain parties to whom he referred.