228 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to fact that there is a six month waiting period for taxi and hackney operators in having vehicles tested by PSV officers. [13764/99]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the majority of applications for small public service vehicle drivers' licences to have vehicles tested by public service vehicle inspectors throughout the country are dealt with within a few days.

However, in some cases it may take two or three weeks before a certificate is issued. This can happen where the applicant would have to have a defect in the vehicle remedied.