Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 555: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the classic car scene here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11651/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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1Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test.

In 2008, the RSA reviewed the car testing specification and, following this review, proposed that a number of new test items be introduced to the National Car Test. A public consultation process was conducted by the RSA on the proposals in 2009 and, having considered the views received, the RSA recommended that the proposals, including annual testing of cars over ten years old, be introduced to the NCT. The recommendations were accepted and approved by my predecessor.

Vehicles registered prior to 1 January 1980 remain exempt from NCT testing. There are no plans at present to apply the NCT to classic cars registered prior to 1980. Any changes would be the subject of a public consultation process conducted by the RSA and any recommendation would be submitted to me for approval. The training and competence levels of testing staff and the state of art test centre facilities ensure that all cars regardless of age can be thoroughly inspected and tested.

Matters relating to motor tax are the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.