asked the Minister for Local Government the number of driver testers employed by his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions, Oral Answers. - Driver Testers.
13.
The answer is 45.
Is the Minister satisfied that 45 driver testers is an adequate number to cover the country?
No.
Would the Minister consider increasing the number so that there will not be undue delay in having the tests which may involve payment for a second provisional licence?
A further competition will be advertised shortly by the Civil Service Commission.
Would the Minister say what he considers to be the number that would be required in order that there should be no delay?
The approved number is 50.
Could the Minister indicate what number of testers will be needed to deal with all the applications so that people would not have to wait too long to have the test?
To deal with them all within what period?
Say a month or six weeks.
The Deputy would have to put down a question about that.
Does the Minister recognise that one of the causes of delay is that people coming back from Great Britain who have been absent from the country for four or five years have to take the test?
That is a separate question.
It is not. I am asking the Minister if he is aware that if he would recognise British driving licences this matter could be solved?
That is a different question. The question deals with the number of driver testers.
And I am saying that if the Minister would appreciate the fact that I have mentioned fewer testers would be needed.
For the tenth time I tell Deputy Harte that I refuse to accord unilateral recognition to British licences.
You are a sham Republican.
No.
You will not recognise British driving licences north of the Border.
The Deputy is north of the Border himself.
I am not north of the Border.
You are.
Then you recognise my driving licence?
Yes, of course, if it is legitimate. I would have to examine it very closely.
Did the Deputy tax his car?
I did. If the Minister recognises my driving licence north of the Border, why does he not recognise British driving licences?
Would Deputies allow questions to continue?
The Minister is recognising the Border whether he likes it or not. It is a bitter pill for the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries to swallow.
The Deputy will please resume his seat.
We are nailing you to the mast. You fail to recognise the Border at times and you are recognising it in this case.
I am not recognising the Border. I will not recognise British driving licences unless they recognise ours.
The matter does not arise.
You are recognising the Border.
Would Deputy Harte resume his seat? Would Deputy Harte recognise orders?
If they recognise our licence, I will recognise theirs. I am not recognising British driving licences unless they recognise ours.
Of course, you are.