Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedures to ensure that Garda cars are roadworthy; if there are plans to apply the national car test to Garda vehicles; the reason Garda cars are not subject to the NCT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40936/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that all Garda vehicles are maintained in accordance with manufacturers' instructions. An official driver is allocated to each vehicle and it is their duty to ensure that routine maintenance is carried out at the appropriate intervals. I am further advised by the Garda authorities that under Section 3.(5) (d) of the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2003, (S.I. No 405 of 2003), the Garda Síochána is exempt from the National Car Test (NCT). In January 2008, the Garda Síochána adopted a policy of voluntarily submitting Garda vehicles which are 4 years and over to a condition check which is carried out by NCT staff. Thereafter, these vehicles will be conditionally checked every 2 years from the date of the first test.