68 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has to review the pass and fail criteria of the NCT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20299/04]

I have no plans to review the criteria for refusal of a NCT certificate. The national car test, NCT, was introduced in order to implement the requirements of EU Directive 96/96/EC relating to the roadworthiness testing of passenger cars. The directive specifies the items to be tested as part of a vehicle test. The NCT reflects both the requirements of the directive and those laid down in national regulations relating to the standards which a vehicle must meet for use on a public road.