LRC makes new proposals to end driving-tests dispute

The Labour Relations Commission has reportedly put forward new proposals aimed at ending the dispute over the Government's plan to outsource driving tests.

Transport Minister Martin Cullen wants to allow the National Car Test company to carry out 40,000 tests over an 18-month period in an effort to clear the backlog.

However, testers had opposed the move due to the affect it could have on their jobs.

Reports this morning said their trade union, IMPACT, had received new proposals aimed at resolving the dispute from the LRC and was set to recommend that they be accepted.

The proposals would reportedly see the testers agreeing to the outsourcing plan in return for assurances about job safety and their role in the new Road Safety Authority.

Junior Transport Minister Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher welcomed the potential breakthrough this morning, saying he hoped it would lead to progress.

He said the Government was determined to reduce the waiting time for driving tests to between 10 and 12 weeks and described the current situation as "intolerable."