Noel O'Donovan (Fine Gael)

I want to raise the issue of the driver test wait times at present. It has been raised in this Chamber previously. Specifically, in west Cork, the Southern Star did some research recently and the wait time is six months at present. That is absolutely ridiculous. I am calling for a debate in this Chamber with the Minister for Transport directly on the matter because the RSA is not fit for purpose on this issue. A root-and-branch review of the system needs to be carried out. I accept we see movements to employ new testers but I simply do not believe that will be enough. We need to look at the whole process. We need to engage secondary schools and the education system in terms of driver training, and driver testing as well, because this has an impact on people's lives. It has an impact on families where adults or older siblings are having to accompany the younger people within their families because of insurance issues. I am not condoning for a second learner drivers driving unaccompanied but it is having a serious effect on families, not to mind the traffic offences that young people are enduring because of penalties and fines enforced by An Garda Síochána, which it has to do. We are being contacted by young people within our communities. We have to do something. The system is broken and I am calling for change and a debate on the matter in this Chamber.