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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 8 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 2

Written Answers - MOT Testing.

Peter Barry

Ceist:

134 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for the Environment if the proposal to introduce MOT testing for motor vehicles is at an advanced stage of planning; the decision, if any, which has been arrived at regarding the basis on which the test will take place, such as at national and regional level; and when tenders will be invited. [8839/97]

Car testing will be carried out at dedicated test centres established and operated by a franchisee to be appointed on a national basis, following an open competitive tendering process. It is envisaged that test centres will be strategically located in an integrated national network to minimise the distance motorists will be required to travel for a test; in addition, consideration will be given to the use of mobile test centres in more remote areas. The franchisee will be responsible for providing suitable premises for test centres and will not have the authority to appoint agents to carry out testing on its behalf. The proposed system will be based on dedicated testing centres and will operate independently of commercial garages where servicing and normal repairs are carried out.

I propose shortly to invite proposals from consultants who will advise and assist the Department in relation to the drawing up and finalisation of tender documents, the evaluation of tender proposals and the drawing up of appropriate legal-contractual arrangements for the appointment of the franchisee. The tender competition for the testing franchise will follow and the testing system will be introduced as early as possible in 1998.
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