Trailer testing and RSA enforcement
Deputy McGrath raised confusion and apparent inconsistency around trailer testing requirements and said contractors were being unfairly targeted. The Tánaiste replied that the RSA exists to save lives and should be supported.
The programme for Government is strong in its support for agri-industry. The Road Safety Authority, RSA needs to be reined in somewhat. I know of a contractor in west Tipperary who has been pulled in by the RSA and by An Garda Síochána twice and has been asked to have his trailer tested. He went to different test centres but the people there had never heard of such a test. He drove last week to Waterford city to a test centre, only to be told that it could not test his trailer because it was not covered under statute or any regulation. This is happening on a widespread basis. There was no equipment to test the trailer at the test centre in Waterford. This is unfair to a contractor trying to keep jobs and carry on his business and not to be obliged to travel to the city of Waterford only to be told that no such test exists. It is unfair that people are being victimised and intimidated.
Comment on this
We have got the Deputy's question which is very specific, so the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport may come back and deal with this.