Vol. 193 No. 6
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Local Government what is the approximate number of new staff, and their grades, required (1) centrally and (2) by local authorities to implement the provisions of the Road Traffic Act dealing with (a) driving tests and (b) vehicle suitability; and when it is proposed to introduce the provisions of the Act relating to (a) and (b).
35.
asked the Minister for Local Government at what date he expects the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 regarding the testing of vehicles to be brought into force; whether the testing of vehicles under the Act will be carried out by persons other than members of the Garda Síochána; and if so, what qualifications will be required from such persons.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together.
Driving tests will be carried out by officers of my Department. The vehicle tests provided for under section 18 of the Act will not be carried out by the Garda Síochána.
A great deal of preliminary work is required before the necessary legal and administrative machinery for the tests can be established, and I cannot at this stage indicate when exactly the tests will come in, the precise numbers of staff of different grades that will be required, the qualifications for testing staff etc. The question of the staff required to speed up the work of bringing the tests into operation is at present being considered.
The Minister quite rightly said, when introducing this legislation, that driving tests and tests of vehicles were two of the most important advances in road traffic legislation. Could the Minister now say whether he will expedite the introduction of these tests. Are they likely to be started this year, or has he any idea of when?
I do not have to be asked to expedite these tests. I am doing the best I can to have them expedited. I am as anxious as the Deputy or anyone else to have them in operation at the earliest possible moment.
Could the Minister say if it is likely they will be introduced this year?
I have hopes, but that is all I can say.
