Vol. 575 No. 3
271 Mr. M. Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport his views on the lack of an appeals system in the NCT process, specifically in the case of a person, details supplied, in County Cork who contacted him in September 2003 and whose concern has not been resolved. [28386/03]
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 provide car owners with redress in instances of unsatisfactory service.
I understand that this vehicle was issued with a NCT certificate following a retest on 24 August 2003 and that the company has replied to the correspondence it received from the car owner in relation to the initial NCT on this vehicle.
