Ned O'Keeffe
Question:1085 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport if he will give consideration to an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Cork which has been lodged following the outcome of a national car test. [21302/03]
Written Answers. - National Car Test.
National Car Testing Service Limited, NCTS, provides and operates a comprehensive complaints and appeals procedure as part of its quality customer service obligations. This procedure includes provision for an appeal against the results of a test. The existence of a complaints and appeals procedure is referred to in an information leaflet on the NCT which is issued to car owners when an offer of a test appointment is made by the company. In addition, the company is required to display, in a prominent position, in each test centre a notice drawing attention to the complaints and appeals procedure.
It is open to a car owner to appeal a decision of the company to refuse a test certificate to the District Court. The court may either refuse the appeal or direct that a new test be carried out. The right of appeal to the District Court is mentioned in both the information leaflet and the notice displayed in test centres. I am satisfied that these arrangements are appropriately designed to provide car owners with redress in instances of unsatisfactory service. I have no function in relation to appeals against decisions by NCTS to refuse a test certificate.