Sinn Féin TD Blasts RSA Over Six-Year Failure to Establish Driving Test Centre in Drogheda
Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster has sharply criticized the Road Safety Authority (RSA) for its prolonged inability to establish a driving test centre in Drogheda, labeling the situation as “farcical.” This comes after six years of unsuccessful attempts to find a suitable site for the centre.
During a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee, Deputy Munster expressed her exasperation, calling it “beyond insane” that the RSA remains no closer to identifying a site despite the extensive time elapsed.
Responding to the critique, Brendan Walsh, Chief Operations Officer at the RSA, stated that the RSA, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works (OPW), continues to address the issue, noting that it was under consideration as recently as last week.
Deputy Munster did not hold back in her criticism, stating, “It’s genuinely farcical at this stage that a driving test centre site can’t be found in Drogheda, the largest town in Ireland, after six years of searching. Over the years we’ve been given some fairly ridiculous reasons for sites being rejected – too much traffic or the existence of speed ramps are two memorable examples.”
She further highlighted the inconsistency in standards, noting, “Up and down the country there are driving test centres operating out of offices and even rooms in hotels, yet we can’t seem to locate a single building in Drogheda that is suitable for the test centre.”
With Drogheda’s population currently at 45,000 and projected to grow by another 20,000 in the next five years under the Northern Environs Plan, Munster emphasized the urgent need for a driving test centre in the town.
“I’ve been raising this situation with the RSA for years. Both myself and the people of Drogheda are sick of the excuses and incompetence,” Munster declared.
She concluded with a pointed demand, “The Chief Operations Officer of the RSA needs to prioritize a permanent driving test centre for the largest town in Ireland as the buck stops with the RSA. There can be no more excuses.”