The company running Ireland’s NCT service should have its contract terminated over ‘unacceptable’ waiting lists, according to a Fianna Fáil TD.

Car testing company Applus+ was awarded the contract to manage NCTs in Ireland until 2030 but during the pandemic waiting times soared. 

Fianna Fáil transport spokesperson James O’Connor said some of his constituents are still waiting months on end for a test.

“This has been brought up multiple times in the Oireachtas by myself,” he told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“I’ve been consistent on this over the last two years that what’s going on within the Applus+... is quite frankly unacceptable. 

“Now we’re seeing waiting lists in some parts of the country, including my own homeplace of Youghal in East Cork, that are stretching into five and six months. 

“At this stage, I think it’s now no longer acceptable or palatable to me… that this company should be allow to remain in place and to continue having this contract which was a decade-long contract negotiated in the middle of a pandemic.” 

Requirements

By law, every car in Ireland must undergo an NCT every second year between the age of four and 10 years of age.

When they are 10 years or older, the test must be carried out annually. 

To comply with the rules, some people in rural Ireland are having to drive huge distances. 

“If I’m living in Youghal in East Cork, the selection of centres that I’ve available to me [are] ones in South Tipperary, in Waterford and across the North Cork region,” Deputy O’Connor said.

“Some of the closest dates if you’re living here in Youghal are out in Tralee. 

“So, it just gives an example of the distances some people are having to drive if they want to sit these NCT tests in a palatable timeframe of perhaps two months. 

“Some people are having to drive distances of around two hours… which is bonkers, it makes absolutely zero sense from an efficiency perspective.” 

Deputy O’Connor also said he was concerned about the number of people dying in car crashes this year. 

“We have seen an increase of fatalities on our roads,” he said. 

“I think there is question marks around road safety in Ireland at this moment in time.” 

Applus+ has been contacted for comment.

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Main image: A mechanic changing a car tire in a workshop.