Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 31 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 4

Written Answers. - National Car Test.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

126 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 in relation to the NCT car testing; if he will have arrangement made for compensation and an apology for this person; the action generally he will take with NCT due to the level of complaints; the way in which NCT can ask for a fee for tests cancelled by them during strike; the way which they can refuse to give a test result until fee plus original fee for cancelled test is paid; the amount of time it should take in waiting time for a test; if it is in order for NCT to be over one hour late in starting a test for which an appointment was made; when it became necessary to have three seat belts in back seat; his views on whether it is fair and reasonable to fail a car on this point when the car was serviced, and necessary seat belts installed in January for upcoming tests, which were cancelled; and if regulations in this regard have since changed. [16490/01]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

Under its contract with my Department, the National Car Testing Service Ltd. operates a formal customer complaints and appeals procedure, which is closely monitored on behalf of my Department. Last year, complaints accounted for 0.17% of all tests, including retests.

I understand that the case referred to in the question was dealt with by the National Car Testing Service within one day of receiving the complaint and that a refund cheque has issued.

Road Traffic Regulations made in 1991 made it compulsory from 1 January 1992 for all new cars to have seat belts fitted to the rear seats. It now transpires that certain models of new cars with seating capacity for five adults were sold after that date without a rear middle seat belt and in contravention of the above requirements. In accordance with the National Car Test Regulations, a test certificate cannot be issued in any case where the required seatbelts are not present.

I am informed that in view of this situation, the importer in question is willing to fit a middle seat belt now at no charge to the car owner in certain circumstances. The person concerned was advised of this by NCTS and a middle seat belt has since been fitted at no charge. The car has now received a NCT certificate.