Vol. 505 No. 6
202 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the procedures, if any, to be adopted by local authorities to comply with regulations regarding mandatory MOT testing; the number of test centres to be established in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14493/99]
In accordance with the regulations governing the existing commercial vehicle testing scheme, local authorities are responsible for the appointment and supervision of authorised testers which are generally private garages. The local authorities also issue certificates of roadworthiness in exchange for test pass statements awarded by authorised testers, and require that a current certificate of roadworthiness is presented when an eligible vehicle is being taxed.
The new car testing scheme will commence on 4 January 2000. The role of local authorities in the operation of this scheme will, in accordance with the Road Traffic (Car Testing) Regulations, 1998, be confined to requiring that a current certificate of roadworthiness is presented when a car which is liable for a test is being taxed. The national car testing service, to whom the contract for car testing has been awarded, has announced that test centres, including three mobile units, will be established at some 43 locations countrywide. Details of these proposed arrangements have been set out in a press release of 15 December 1999; a copy of this press release is being made available to the Oireachtas Library.
