NCT tester sacked over ‘integrity code breach’

An NCT tester has been sacked over a breach of its code of integrity, the Road Safety Authority has said.

The RSA, which oversees the operation of the National Car Testing Service, said it carried out 44 internal NCTS investigations last year following concerns voiced by the public, including those made via a dedicated whistleblower service.

According to a RSA spokesperson: “In one instance a member of staff was dismissed for breach of the NCTS’s code of integrity.”

The spokesperson said the information provided by the public tended to focus on potential breaches in company standards of conduct, rather than suggestions of bribes.

However, the RSA said when it came to driving tests, there were some complaints which warranted a formal investigation, four of which have been carried out in the past two years.

The spokesperson said: “Separately to the complaints procedure, we have had two cases of attempted bribery of a driver tester in the past two years. Our procedure necessitates that when this occurs, the matter is referred to An Garda Síochána which has happened in both cases.”

According to the RSA, of the 114,854 driving tests conducted in 2014, customer complaints in relation to these tests received for that period was 423, or 0.37%.

“Complaints can be received for a variety of reasons, and the majority we receive relate to the outcome of a driving test; a test not being conducted due to an issue with documentation or vehicle; a complaint regarding the driver tester; and due to the RSA having to cancel tests at short notice,” the spokesperson said.

Similarly, the RSA stressed when it came to the NCT, standards were high, with audits conducted for the agency by the Automobile Association across last year and this year showing over 99% of tests were correctly and fairly assessed.

• The whistleblower process can be accessed on 1890 928 580 and [e-mail]