Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 655: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport one month on from the RTE television exposé on the National Car Testing Service, the progress that has been made in the investigations of standards operated by the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18946/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Under 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. The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements. The testing function is carried out by Applus+, since January 2010, under a contractual arrangement with the RSA. The award of the contract and the criteria applying thereto is a matter for the RSA.

There is regular and ongoing contact between the RSA and my Department on matters pertaining to the National Car Testing Service.

Following the Prime Time Investigates programme Applus+ has undertaken an internal investigation and the seven vehicle inspectors who were identified as a result of the programme and internal analysis were suspended. Three have now been dismissed. Applus+ has submitted a number of requests to RTE for information under the Freedom of Information Act. Primetime has refused to provide the information on the grounds that it is outside Freedom of Information.

A Garda investigation is currently under way and Applus+ is providing all information and assistance required. Applus+ is implementing a number of measures to address the issues raised. While details of many of these must necessarily be kept confidential, they include preventative measures and fraud detection measures based on following up on specific risk areas identified.

Under its contract with the RSA, Applus+ was already in the process of fitting cameras on every test lane and these are expected to be in place in July. Some longer term measures are also being considered by Applus+.

Notwithstanding these recent issues, the NCTS testing system is computer-controlled and highly automated and provides test security, consistency and accuracy. Uniform standards are set for what is tested, how the test is carried out and the reasons for failure.