Three NCT inspectors dismissed after TV allegations

THREE of the seven NCT vehicle inspectors suspended for allegedly passing unroadworthy cars in return for cash have been sacked.

A statement issued by the operator of the National Car Test, Applus, confirmed three staff had been dismissed and investigations into allegations made on RTÉ’s Prime Time Investigates were continuing.

“National Car Testing Service is committed to ensuring that any potential for fraudulent activity within the test system is eradicated and investigations into the allegations made will continue in conjunction with a formal report submitted to An Garda Síochána by NCTS,” they said.

The sackings came after the documentary showed two cases of inspectors at the NCT centre in Fonthill, west Dublin, taking €100 bribes to pass cars that independent inspectors told Prime Time were unsafe.

An anonymous whistleblower — an inspector at an NCT centre outside Dublin — claimed this practice was “widespread”.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) awarded the 10-year contract for the provision of the car test to Applus in January of last year. The company took over from Swiss multinational SGS who held the contract since car testing began in 2000.

RSA chief executive Noel Brett raised the allegations at a meeting with Applus yesterday. As a result a full-scale review of the taxi industry will be carried out.

Announcing the review, Public Transport Minister Alan Kelly said gardaí must take a leading role in taxi industry enforcement and not leave it to the nine enforcement officers in the regulator’s office.

He said the system of monitoring and regulation of licences is not stringent enough, and that criminals with serious convictions are being allowed to operate legitimately. The director of taxi regulation, Kathleen Doyle, said her office would investigate two people on the basis of the programme.

Meanwhile, Dublin Bus has confirmed an allegation made on the programme concerning one of its drivers ‘double jobbing’ and breaching the Working Time Directive is under internal investigation.

The spokesperson said a person had been taken off driving duties while the investigation was ongoing.