Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 325: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has reviewed the performance of the national car test operator (details supplied) in view of the ongoing backlog and chaos in the national car test system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31100/10]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 326: To ask the Minister for Transport if he satisfied that the Road Safety Authority is taking all necessary action to address the ongoing problems in the national car test system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31101/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 326 together.

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) vehicle testing arrangements are a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

There is regular and ongoing contact between the Road Safety Authority and my Department in regard to the National Car Testing (NCT) Service. My Department receives reports from time to time in relation to the delivery and operation of the service. I understand that NCT has taken a number of steps to increase capacity to meet the substantial increase in demand in the early part of the year. Additional staff have been employed, some test centres have increased opening hours to include evenings and weekends and two new test centres have opened in Carndonagh, Co Donegal and Greenhills in Tallaght.

The RSA continues to monitor the position regarding demand for car testing and testing arrangements and I am satisfied that the RSA is taking action as appropriate.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 327: To ask the Minister for Transport if the national car test operators (details supplied) has taken over the former functions of the Revenue Commissioners in invigilating imported cars including the Revenue Commissioner check and collection of vehicle registration tax payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31103/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) vehicle testing arrangements are matters for the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

The RSA have a contract in place since 2 January 2010 for the provision of the National Car Testing (NCT) Service. I understand that there is a separate contract between the Revenue Commissioners and the NCT operator in relation to import conformance inspections. The operation of this contract is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.