Transport Minister passes driving test

Transport Minister Seamus Brennan was congratulated by safety campaigners tonight – for passing his driving test.

Mr Brennan secured his new licence after letting his previous permit lapse following a succession of government jobs that come with a driver.

Before reaching the higher echelons of politics, Mr Brennan had held a full licence for 25 years.

But when he discovered that the document had not been renewed and was no longer valid, he decided to set the proper example by by going through the test procedure.

In Mr Brennan’s case, that meant a wait of more than five months for a test date, in line with the kind of periods which a lot of learner-drivers in the Irish Republic currently face.

Fine Gael transport spokesman, Denis Naughten, said: “I would love to know what the minister thinks of the whole process now.

“It’s fine for a minister who has a driver, but there are people waiting up to nine months for a test and whose jobs depend on having a licence.”

The minister took and passed his test earlier this week – after receiving lessons from former Irish international rally driver Rosemary Smith.

Tonight, Eddie Shaw, of Ireland’s National Safety Council, said: “I was delighted to see that the minister had done what anyone should do in the same circumstances.

“He first of all sat the theory test, he applied for the driving test and took instructions from somebody who, I think, is someone who is the most professionally qualified instructor in the country, Rosemary Smith.

“All of that was a good thing.”