asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that an Army driver of many years experience has failed his civilian driving test; if he will say what training is given to Army drivers; and if, having regard to the damaging effects which failure in civilian driving tests has on the reemployment of ex-Army drivers, he will make a statement in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Testing of Former Army Drivers.
21.
The failure of a person to pass a driving test carried out by the Department of Local Government would not come to my Department's attention and I have no information, therefore, about the particular case to which the Deputy refers.
All military drivers undergo a comprehensive driving course after which they are examined by a board of officers of the Supply and Transport Corps. Personnel who pass the examination are issued with a certificate permitting them to drive military vehicles. The course of instruction and the subsequent examination cover all aspects of driving and the standards of competency, etc., laid down are similar to those required in the case of tests carried out for the issue of driving licences under the Road Traffic Act, 1961, and regulations made thereunder.
In the case in question, an Army driver who had the lives of up to 60 soldiers in his hands every day in this city for many years has failed to pass the driving test conducted by the Department of Local Government. Would the Minister have discussions with the Department of Local Government with a view to finding out in what respect they consider that this Army driver failed to qualify and, if necessary, amend the requirements for Army driving so as to ensure that they conform with the requirements of the Department of Local Government?
If the Army man concerned had taken up the matter with myself, it would already have been done.
The Minister will now be good enough to do it, I am sure?
I shall inquire further into the matter.
Would the Minister ensure that a certificate is issued to Army drivers who have received this training and passed their test so that it can be used by them in civilian life, thus preventing a situation where the Minister's colleague can say that he considers that those who pass the test are not necessarily competent drivers?
I never said that: I said they could deteriorate.
That is not a matter for me.
If somebody does a comprehensive course of training and a test in the Army, surely it is ridiculous, if he has been driving all types of vehicles, that he should be refused a driving licence, and even fail the test, after he comes out?
The Deputy knows that doctors differ and patients die.
It is stupid. It is a lot of stupidity carried on by the Department of Local Government.