Vol. 514 No. 4
159 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if, in view of the recent review of the national car test whereby a fail advisory assessment on all shock absorbers will be determined, he will compensate those who, prior to this decision, incurred expenditure as a result of test assessments on shock absorbers; and if he will make a statement on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [4444/00]
The Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations, 1999, explicitly identify a number of road safety critical items as reasons for refusal of an NCT test certificate. In addition, where any other test item, including shock absorbers, is found to be in a dangerous condition by the vehicle tester, it too will constitute a reason for refusal of the test certificate. Other faults are classed as advisory and it is the owner's responsibility to rectify these without the need for a re-test.
It is my intention that, by 2002, a considerably smaller range of faults will be classified as advisory. The requirements of the national car test are also complemented by the general obligation not to use an unsafe vehicle in a public place.
