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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Drogheda driving test centre

Summary

Deputy O’Dowd argues Drogheda needs its own driving test centre and says the RSA has rejected too many sites. The Tánaiste says he will raise it with the Minister of State and acknowledges Drogheda’s size and importance.

Drogheda is the largest town in Ireland with 40,000 people living in the town and at least 40,000 more living in the surrounding area. We have no driving test centre. We need the Minister to get onto the Road Safety Authority to do its job because so far it is neglecting our town. There are 41 driving test centres around the country. Some are in GAA clubs and hotels. There is even one in Mallow race course, I think. Why can we not have one in Drogheda? It is not good enough. The RSA has looked at ten sites and turned them all down. I have sent it additional sites which it did not list in a reply to a parliamentary question. The RSA is not doing its job. People are angry. I presume the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, is the line Minister. It is time he visited Drogheda. We have an election on as we all know, and the people are angry. We have lost our hotel. We cannot get a driving test centre. What are you going to do for us? You will not get votes if you do not. It is as simple as that.

Comment on this

The Deputy is getting more bellicose as the elections are getting closer. Deputy Chambers is a fine Minister of State.

Comment on this

He is of course.

Comment on this

The Deputy seemed to indicate to me that there is a commitment to do it, if various sites have been looked at.

Comment on this

There is reluctance.

Comment on this

I am surmising that what the Deputy is saying is that sites are being rejected because there is no commitment to provide.

Comment on this

I will revert to the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers. Drogheda is a large town of 40,000 people. It is a fine town with great history and great heritage. It is an important resource for people.

Comment on this