Martin Brady (Dublin North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 316: To ask the Minister for Transport when the review of the national car testing service will be carried out; and the reason vehicles have failed for not having Baile Átha Cliath on number plates. [30150/04]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The car testing contract provides for a review of the service by the Minister after the mid-point of the contract which will occur in January 2005. The review will commence early in the new year. The format, dimensions and technical specifications of registration plates for display on motor vehicles are currently provided for in the Vehicle Registration and Taxation (Amendment) Regulations 1999, which were made by the Revenue Commissioners. The regulations provide, inter alia, that a registration plate shall exhibit the index mark, for example, "D", and place name, for example, "Baile Átha Cliath", of the relevant licensing authority. The regulations specify the place name to be used for each of the 29 licensing authorities, which is the Irish version of the county concerned. The requirements with regard to index marks and place names are long-standing and date back to the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1990. A registration plate that does not meet the specifications constitutes a reason for refusal of an NCT test certificate. I understand this position has been strongly endorsed by the Garda authorities.