NCT test operator ordered to pay out €30,000

The operator of the National Car Test centres has been criticised for conducting “a sham investigation” into the complaints of an employee who threatened to expose regular breaches of the company’s rules at one of its centres in Cork.

Applus Car Testing Service, which operates National Car Test centres on behalf of the Road Safety Authority, has been ordered to pay €30,000 in compensation for the unfair dismissal of the employee.

The Employment Appeals Tribunal rejected evidence by senior managers at Applus that staff were not encouraged to bring in cars for testing to fill vacant slots at its centre in Little Island, Co Cork.