SINN Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has expressed his concerns about the extension of the HSE recruitment freeze announced on Friday and how it affects University Hospital Kerry.

Deputy Daly wants the freeze reviewed urgently to help frontline staff at the hospital as he feels services will be further compromised.

“There was a recruitment ban for clerical and administrative staff, and this has now been extended across for the board,” said Deputy Daly.

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“As I made clear previously, there are 50 whole-time equivalent (WTE) vacancies in UHK. That is a huge resource gap and staff are doing their utmost to cope,” he continued.

“Every service within the hospital depends upon the work of administrative staff. They have been extremely accommodating and contributed to the drive to cut waiting lists in endocrinology and cardiology. Their duties of can range from administering plans of care, liaising with GPs as well as supporting consultants.

“Now with the freeze extended, we can expect further services to be compromised. This will create a hole that it will not be easy to climb out of.”

“The irony that the crisis stems from an agency bill that should not have been allowed to develop in the first place should not be lost on anyone. Workforce planning could have prevented this mess, and it is the only thing that will get us out of it. The freeze must be reviewed urgently and the fact nothing extra in the Budget was set out to achieve this is a real setback for frontline staff,” concluded Daly.

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SINN Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has demanded urgency from the government to tackle sky-high food and grocery bills.

Deputy Daly accused Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party of being out of touch with workers and families struggling with the escalating cost of living ahead of a vote on Sinn Féin’s motion on this issue, brought forward by party spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Louise O’Reilly.

“The burden that the escalating cost of living is placing on workers and families is completely unsustainable,” said Deputy Daly.

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“A constituent recently contacted me in relation to an electricity bill for €518.34. His last bill was €425.69, albeit he paid €200 less than that due to the credit all house holders received. How is a family supposed to pay bills like these?”

“This pressure has been exacerbated by their government’s failure to intervene to reduce energy bills or provide mortgage relief from ever-rising interest rates.

“Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party are completely out of touch with the cost-of-living strain being placed on households.

“Inflation in Irish supermarkets is at the highest level ever recorded by retail analysts Kantar across the past 12 months, with the 12-week period to April 16th alone showing the rate of food inflation at 16.6%.

“This week, Sinn Féin is calling on government to do all in its power to ensure savings made by supermarkets and large food retailers are passed on to consumers through lower grocery prices.

“In addition, we are calling on government to amend the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022 to give the proposed Agri-Food Regulator powers to investigate anti-competitive practices in the agri-food supply chain,” he added.

KERRY Sinn Féin Deputy Pa Daly TD has slammed AIB’s decision to remove cash from 70 branches nationwide, including five in Kerry.

Deputy Daly is calling on Minister Heather Humphreys and Paschal Donohue to intervene and ensure a just transition to a cashless society.

“The decision by AIB to remove all access to cash, cheque, bank draft, foreign exchange and ATM services from 70 branches nationwide is unacceptable,” said Deputy Daly.

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“Pascal Donohue as Minister for Finance and Heather Humphreys as Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands must intervene.”

“Dingle, Kenmare, Cahersiveen, Killorglin and Castleisland are affected within Kerry and customers will be expected to travel from Baile na nGall to Tralee and from Ballinskelligs to Killarney.  The latter being a 90-minute journey by car or a day-long event using public transport.”

“The effect on individuals and businesses will be devastating. Post Offices are facing a real challenge with the volume of business they are now expected to handle across personal and business customers within these communities,” he said.

“Public transportation is unavailable and unaffordable for too many.  For those who do drive, having to travel 30,  50 or even 70 kilometres to access basic banking services is also unaffordable and it should be unnecessary.

“People will naturally be inclined to travel with more cash over longer distances and this will put them at risk of theft and worse.   Many are already struggling to navigate a rapidly changing banking sector and this move shows no regard for the elderly, vulnerable or rural customers.

“In 2010, the government of the day asked the Irish people to support its intervention in the financial crisis and bail out the banks at a cost of €67 billion.  This was to save the supposed cornerstones of our towns and villages.  This led to years of austerity measures to enable repayment of these loans.  Twelve years on we are still repaying some of those loans while the banks are making record profits.

“AIB has used the effects of the pandemic to justify this decision stating there is reduced use by customers.  This is a cynical move and it should be reversed.

“I am calling on  to intervene and ensure a just transition to a cashless society.  The elderly, infirm, and those on lower incomes are not ready for this particular withdrawal,” he concluded.

THE Sinn Féin TD for Kerry has called for an urgent plan to address the lack of GPs across Kerry.

Deputy Pa Daly said GPs are telling him the county is facing a crisis in in GP and community care due to the large number of GPs leaving practice due to retirements and exiting the country due to working conditions.

“I am hearing that HSE bureaucracy is increasingly difficult to navigate when referring patients and that waiting lists are making life unbearable for patients,” said Deputy Daly.

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“We know that the GMS contract is not fit for purpose and there is no real attempt by government to address the deficiencies.  This is leading to large numbers to advance their careers elsewhere and leaving Ireland with huge gaps in care.”

“Ballyduff has been without a GP for many months now.  One was promised early in the New Year but this has not yet transpired.  People are expected to go into Tralee for urgent care or try to secure an appointment with SouthDoc.  This places increased pressure on SouthDoc which in turn places increased pressure on our Emergency Department in UHK.

“Patients in South Kerry are facing similar challenges with many being told there is no overnight GP in Cahersiveen during the week.  Patients must instead travel to Killarney or Kenmare,” he continued.

“We can add to this a waiting list of Consultants for oncology and paediatric care which is causing patients, including young children with very difficult and debilitating diagnoses, to travel outside the county for services that should be available closer to home.”

“The solution is straightforward:  it is not good enough for the HSE to say they cannot attract GPs and this is why we have shortages.  We know the reasons why, and the HSE has the power to fix that if it has the will to do so,” he concluded.

SINN Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has criticised Minister Eamon Ryan’s proposed ban on the sale or distribution of turf, stating the government are out of touch with rural Ireland and lacks understanding of the difficulties people are facing.

Deputy Daly said Minister Ryan’s move to ban the sale or distribution of turf for domestic use will hit people in rural areas the hardest at a time when they are struggling the most.

“Families, workers, and those living alone, often elderly, cannot cope with rising energy costs.  I am hearing far too many times that constituents are not heating their homes as they cannot afford it,” he said.

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“The timing of this announcement and introduction of these measures could not come at a worse time with the runaway cost-of-living and an energy crisis.  It makes no sense and will hit our most vulnerable the hardest.

“There is no ‘Just Transition’ when the Minister states he will implement draconian measures that prohibit a neighbour from dropping a bag of turf to a struggling elderly neighbour or a young family.

“Minister Ryan could have identified those who are dependent on turf to heat their homes and prioritised them for energy efficiency supports.

“It is a simple fact that the majority of houses rely on turf and heating systems that are designed for solid fuel.  Deep retrofits run in the range of €40,000 – €60,000 and are out of reach for most.  While grant aid is available, the householder has to come up with a significant contribution, in some cases more than half, towards the retrofit.

“Moreover, pushing ahead with the carbon tax hikes on May 1st undermines support for real Climate Action.  However it does show that government is completely out of touch with the challenges the average person faces today.”

SINN Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has expressed his desire for Kerry County Council to examine how much rates are refunded to the owners of vacant commercial premises.

Kerry County Council offers a 100% refund to these owners and Deputy Daly believes this is not sustainable.

“Every year, owners of vacant commercial properties can apply for a refund of rates on vacant properties they own,” he said.

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“The setting of the size of the refund is a reserved function. Figures released to me indicate Kerry is one of the Local Authorities that offers a 100% refund.

“This is not sustainable in the long term and is the major contributor to vacancy rates in our towns. It flies in the face of the government’s Town Centre first policy in the Programme for Government. It is easy for someone to claim they have made efforts to rent out a commercial property whilst not actually doing so. We must learn from the experiences of town centres that have been almost abandoned abroad.

“Accordingly, we should look at the position of councils such as Clare, where the refund rate is only 25%. There is no urgent need to move to that sort of level right away, but I would be keen for Kerry County Councillors to examine this,” he said.

“This year, this was not done despite a proposal from Sinn Féin to do so, due to the ongoing covid-19 related crisis. However with things opening back up, we should not allow our town centres to fall behind,” concluded Deputy Daly.

SINN Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, says if there were proper planning and resources at a Dingle Hospital then it would alleviate the burden on University Hospital Kerry.

Deputy Daly criticised the HSE and Minister Stephen Donnelly for the situation at Ospidéal Pobal Chorca Dhuibhne since it opened in 2010.

“Ospidéal Pobal Chorca Dhuibhne was completed in 2008 at a cost of €16.4m and promised to deliver sixty-eight residential and short stay beds for the people of West Kerry,” he said.

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“In addition, the hospital promised primary care services, a minor injuries unit equipped with X-ray, and an ambulance base.  The opening was delayed until 2010 and it is a shame to see how the hospital has been held back from its full potential under successive governments since that time.

“Today, the hospital is operating at thirty beds below capacity, and, in fact, it has never provided more than 54 beds.

“I understand that 8 residential and 8 short-stay beds are temporarily closed due to lack of staff.  Four to five additional nurses supported by healthcare assistants are all that is needed to re-open these beds.

“The fact the hospital has never delivered on its full potential is a disgrace. We have a facility in Dingle where people could get care without travelling to Tralee. This would significantly ease the burden on University Hospital Kerry, which remains in crisis,” he said.

“In light of Covid and events such as Storm Barra, it is beyond me why Minister Donnelly and the HSE are not urgently addressing these issues. Staffing Ospidéal Pobal Chorca Dhuibhne must be a priority to ensure that West Kerry can avail of the healthcare it was promised some 13 years ago now,” he concluded.

KERRY’S Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly has expressed his alarm at the situations people in need of dental care are facing and has called on the government to provide an urgent response.

Deputy Daly said more than 50% of dentists in Kerry have left the medical card dental scheme in the last five years and there has been a 48% decrease in spending for Kerry over the past three years.

“The collapse in dental services is a crisis that must be dealt with as a matter of urgency by the government,” said.

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“All of this has placed undue pressure on the HSE oral health with dental and orthodontic waiting lists spiralling out of control.  The number of patients seen by HSE Oral Health in Kerry collapsed last year by 63%.

“Many primary children will be heading into third year in secondary school before they can have their 6th class dental exam.  While Covid-19 is clearly to blame for some of this delay, it is inexcusable that so many children will now face painful and difficult orthodontic care after waiting too long for standard examinations.

“I am also hearing from too many people who cannot access public dental care in Kerry, and are being sent to Limerick for treatment.  Preventive care is non-existent for public patients.  The Irish Dental Association highlighted their concerns recently in the Health Committee, stating that difficulty in accessing dental treatment contributes to poor oral health and greater healthcare costs overall.

“The burden of this disproportionately falls on lower income groups, especially those who rely on medical cards. Dentists have expressed ethical as well as practical concerns about unilateral cuts to the dental scheme imposed during austerity.  This devastated dentists’ ability to deliver quality care to medical card patients,” said Deputy Daly.

SINN Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has called on the Courts Service to extend video-conferencing facilities for cases involving children.

The Tralee man said video-conferencing facilities are being established in Tralee Courthouse in order that prisoners who are on remand in Cork and Limerick Prisons can be dealt with, without having to travel to Kerry.

“This is a positive move and will save the State money by not having to transport prisoners from the gaols for a court hearing,” he said.

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“I am aware that there are three or four circuit court cases pending where a child is the injured party. It is stressful for any child to have to give evidence in a court hearing, however this can be exacerbated by having to travel from Kerry to Limerick or Cork.

“This could be avoided if video-conferencing facilities were available in Tralee.  The Criminal Evidence Act 1992 allows for this. Such a move would also go some way towards aiding victims’ rights.”

“I am urging the Courts Service to take the simple step of installing a video suite linking with the video system being installed in the courtroom to enable these children to stay in their home county when required to provide evidence in court,” he concluded.

SINN Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has urged the government to review and issue clarification on the functioning of vaccine distribution in Kerry.

Deputy Daly has called into question the ability of the government to meet their target of having all over 85s vaccinated by the end of the first week of March.

“There have been a number of developments,” he said. “Minister Donnelly stated in an email to TDs that it will be the majority of over 85s rather than all of them who will have been vaccinated.

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“I have also had more GPs contact me. They have serious concerns about the ‘buddy system’ where practices with less than 200 over-70 patients are not provided with any vaccine, but rather told to pair with another practice.

“Practices must therefore call other practices to see if they are willing or able to pair up. These GPs are telling me they have not been provided a single point of contact to co-ordinate the rollout. I understand the IMO are helping to do so but it is not running as smoothly as it could.

“The HSE needs to look at this urgently to reassure the public, who want to see their loved ones vaccinated. If the system is not working as intended, it must be reviewed, and perhaps the use of the centres in Killarney and Tralee expanded,” said Deputy Daly.

KERRY Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly has called on the Minister for Transport to take action to tackle the massive driving test backlog.

The call comes as the Road Safety Authority (RSA) confirmed  there are now 906 learner drivers waiting for a test in Killarney, 980 in Tralee, and over 92,000 people waiting across the state.

“The RSA has confirmed to me that there are now 92,210 people waiting for a driving test, with some constituents telling me they will be forced to wait months for a test date,” said Deputy Daly.

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“The number of people waiting for a test has increased by 70% since June of last year. With public transport down to 25% capacity and sharing of lifts not feasible due to Covid, this is causing massive problems for people who need a licence to get to work.

“It’s a huge issue for people in rural Ireland, where public transport simply isn’t an option. The problem is particularly bad in Kerry, with 906 learner drivers in total waiting for a test in Killarneytesting centre and a further 980 waiting in Tralee.

“There is a clear need for additional driving instructors and testers. Likewise, longer opening hours and weekend tests would go some way to address the lengthening backlog.

“The Minister needs to urgently consult with instructors, testers and their unions to find a way forward to accelerate the number of tests that can be carried out safely over the coming months.

“In addition, the driver theory test is still suspended, causing further delays for those learning to drive. Sinn Féin have also called for online driver theory tests to be extended to all categories of learner drivers, to help deal with the growing backlog of those learning to drive.

“The Driver Theory Test Service are currently providing remote theory tests for bus, truck, CPC and ADI categories. This is a welcome development, but it is essential this is now expanded to those learning to drive a car,” said Deputy Daly.

KERRY Sinn Féin TD, Pa Daly, says the Government has not done enough to help workers in the county with the measures proposed in today’s budget.

Speaking after the launch of the government’s budget proposals, Pa Daly TD has stated his firm belief that Sinn Féin’s alternative budget provides the best path forward.

“Having reviewed what the budget is delivering, I’m confident Sinn Féin’s proposals give the people of Kerry a better chance of getting though these uncertain times,” said Deputy Pa Daly.

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“Kerry has been devastated by the decline of tourism revenues and seasonal and casual workers most of all. A cut and freeze in rents, when workers are giving a third of their income to housing, would have done much, but the budget contains nothing for renters. For those looking to buy, stamp duty has only been cut for developers.”

“Businesses also need support, and we’ve proposed an extension of the rates waiver into June of next year. More capital investment and a fit for purpose wage subsidy scheme would serve Kerry businesses better.”

“When workers need certainty, the Wage Subsidy Scheme has not been extended past March as we propose.  Whilst workers and families need support to during this crisis, the government have increased the minimum wage by a paltry 10c.”

“We needed a vision for the future and the ambition to make the changes demanded by the electorate in the last election. Unfortunately, this budget did not attempt this, much less achieve it,” said Deputy Pa Daly.

SINN Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has called for the new Minister for Agriculture and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, to address the lack of support for inshore fishermen.

Deputy Daly said the inshore fishing industry is one area that requires urgent intervention and after the Tralee man met with the National Inshore Fishermen’s Organisation earlier this week, they have made it clear that many will not make it through to Spring unless there is some form of support for them.

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“There are real fears that highly skilled and hard to replace staff will leave, and businesses will close,” said Deputy Daly.

“While the fishermen are being congratulated for their efforts in maintaining food supplies, they feel marginalised by the stimulus package.  Many of the horizontal supports the such as the wage subsidy scheme, working capital loans, rate rebates and business continuity vouchers are of no use to their business.

“Turnover is down over 50% and there has been no opportunity to build reserves for the challenging winter season. It is telling that only 3% of vessels were able to avail of the tie-up-scheme.  The fishermen have been saying all along they required something stronger in line with the scheme for British vessels.”

“We should not underestimate the critical role the inshore fishing sector plays in sustaining coastal communities, and the positive economic effect it brings to these communities.”

SINN Féin TD for Kerry Pa Daly has called on all TDs in Kerry to support a Sinn Féin motion published today, compelling the Government to enact reforms in the Childcare sector.

He said: “The cost of childcare has been allowed to spiral to eye-watering amounts which simply aren’t affordable for ordinary families. In Kerry, the average family can expect to spend up to €174 per week and Ireland has some of the highest childcare costs in the EU. This is unfair and unsustainable. Without affordable childcare, many parents and mothers in particular, are being forced out of the workplace.”

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“Sinn Féin has today brought forward an ambitious and comprehensive plan for the childcare sector. It includes yearly funding increases for the sector to ensure long-term sustainability, as well reducing fees charged to parents to ensure lower, fairer costs for families. It also pledges better pay and working conditions for staff. Workers in the early years sectors are highly qualified and skilled, yet are often paid minimum wage. They deserve fair pay.”

“The pandemic wage subsidy was crucial for the childcare sector. But as it comes to an end, after already being reduced to 85%, we face an even bigger crisis- increased fees, lower wages and potential closure of facilities which will only worsen the childcare crisis. That’s why we’re calling for the restoration of the 100% wage subsidy scheme to prevent this from happening. I am calling on TDs from all parties in this area to back this motion when it comes to the Dáil on Thursday.”

KERRY Sinn Féin TD, Pa Daly, has expressed his disappointment at the approach the Department of Education has taken with the interim recommendations for the re-opening of schools and educational facilities.

Deputy Daly said there was a lack of awareness on current classroom size and setting and a lack of engagement with related stakeholders such as educators, childcare, mental health and transportation experts.

Deputy Daly said: “We have been living with this pandemic for 17 weeks now, and our students are set to return to school in eight weeks.  We were promised comprehensive guidelines at the start of June and it is extremely disappointing to see Minister Foley produce a 31-page document (written by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre) as the first set of re-opening guidelines from her Department.

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“The burden being placed on schools, principals and teachers to implement the recommendations without additional support and funding is, frankly, out of touch with our new reality.”

“The guidance relies solely on physical distancing and hygiene measures, and paints a stark classroom picture of students sitting in rows, face forward, rarely leaving their seat or classroom. The physical and mental health effects of such an approach will be profound on our children and society.”

“Music and singing will be lost in our schools based on these guidelines.  Sports activities simply defer to HPSC guidelines for club sports activities with no accounting for a school setting.  The Minister must do as she promised and engage all stakeholders in robust and transparent discussions.  I have seen other countries propose practical solutions such as funding for ventilation systems in gyms and music rooms so children are not further disadvantaged.”

“Even more disappointing to see is the school transport section consist solely of five bullet points, one of which states “Children should disembark one at a time”.  These guidelines have been rushed out and did not include the appropriate stakeholders.”

“With teachers’ unions expressing valid concerns over their ability to return to the normal school day safely, it is tone deaf to herald these guidelines as a good start.

“Minister Foley must immediately establish a working group with all necessary stakeholders to ensure that our children can return to school safely in an environment that accounts for the whole child and their needs. More imagination is needed, particularly for Kerry schools. We have one chance to get this right; our failure will rest heavily on our children’s shoulders for a long time,” concluded Deputy Daly.

SINN Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has called on Minister Norma Foley and the Department of Education to urgently review the tendering criteria for school buildings, specifically in light of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí, and to ensure that local builders have an opportunity to submit tenders.

Kerry County Council signed over the site for Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí to the Kerry Education and Training Board in March 2016, with the school expected to cater for over 600 students and feature 25 general classrooms, specialist classrooms, a library, multimedia labs, canteen and dining areas, a sports hall and the cultúrlann performance area.

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The Department of Education approved the building which progressed to Stage 2 of the process in May 2018 and, a year later, the then Minister for Education and Skills turned the first sod on the site.  The project remains at Stage 2B of the process.

Deputy Daly said: “Departmental guidelines state that only those companies turning a profit of more than €19m per annum for the past three years are eligible to submit tenders.

“As a result, a number of otherwise qualified builders in Kerry are completely shut out of the process. Earlier this year, I called on the Department of Education to change the tendering process, but unfortunately nothing has changed.

“We were subsequently told that the pre-tender documents were not being considered due to the Covid-19 pandemic and, now that we are in the process of re-opening, I am calling on Minister Foley to intervene and review the criteria.

“Our local economy has been decimated due to Covid-19, and we must afford local companies and workers every possible opportunity to submit tenders for this work.

“Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí is widely anticipated, and much was made of the official sod turning ceremony in the run-up to the local elections in May 2019, however we are no closer to seeing completion of the facility than we were at that time,” said Deputy Daly.

DEPUTY Pa Daly, Sinn Féin TD for Kerry, has welcomed the party’s proposal for an economic stimulus plan to benefit the tourism and hospitality sectors.

Sinn Féin believes this stimulus plan – amounting to over €860 million in total – would revive two sectors hit hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic, providing a particular boost to Kerry which is so dependent on tourism and hospitality.

Under this scheme, every adult in the State would receive a voucher worth €200, while every child would be entitled to a voucher worth €100, to be spent in businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

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Deputy Daly said: “Tourism is essential to the success of Kerry’s economy; it employs over 16,000 people and generates over €660 million annually in revenues.  This scheme will support hundreds of thousands of jobs across the state, including thousands of families right here in Kerry.

“Around 92% of workers in the accommodation and food sectors have received the Pandemic Unemployment Payment or have been on the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, while the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation is estimating a hit to the sector in the region of €3.5 billion in 2020.  By extension of this number, Kerry is likely to face losses of €250 million tourism revenues.

“I am hearing from too many tourism related businesses, self-employed operators and workers who cannot contemplate re-opening their business due to the lack of appropriate government supports and uncertainty over when we will return to normal, and if we ever will. With restrictions on travel to the State remaining in place, Sinn Féin believes a substantial economic stimulus is urgently needed to revive these sectors.

“This plan will also give workers and families the welcome option of a break away or days out after what has been an extraordinarily difficult period.

“Similar stimulus plans have been introduced around the world. Italy has a similar plan to encourage people to holiday at home, Vienna is giving residents vouchers for restaurants in the city and Iceland is distributing domestic tourism vouchers directly to residents.  These can be issued via smartcards, where spend can be controlled by business type.  This ensures the vouchers go where they are most needed – into our tourist economy.

“We know that for every one euro spent in the economy, the exchequer receives about 23c; I hope to see this proposal move forward without delay in order that we can get Kerry back on its feet. This would be non-means tested and available to every resident in the State. Not only will it will assist those unable to afford a break, but also encourage those who can to spend their vouchers, plus more, in our local economies.

“This is an investment in jobs and businesses. Without intervention now, thousands of jobs will be lost permanently, costing the State considerably more in the long-run,” he said.

DEPUTY Pa Daly, Sinn Féin TD for Kerry, has expressed his concern over the lack of detailed plans for the return of driving tests after figures from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) showed that there are 954 people waiting for a driving test in Tralee and 765 in Killarney.

The figures give a county by county breakdown of the number of people waiting for a driving test across the State with 55,027 people waiting for a driving test across the 49 testing centres.

“These numbers have skyrocketed from the 20,000 previously reported,” said Deputy Daly.

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“Covid-19 has greatly exacerbated an existing problem and it is essential the government provides clear plans as to how driving lessons and driving tests can be reintroduced in a safe manner. Perspex dividing screens, PPE for instructors and testers, shorter driving routes all need to be examined.

“At the moment, RSA guidance is that Approved Driving Instructors are not employed by the RSA, and accordingly it is up to them to determine their own method of operating in accordance with public health guidelines.  This is unacceptable.

“We have the ability to look at how other countries are managing this issue post-Covid, for example, Canada has mandated clear sanitising protocols and use of masks.

“By now driving instructors, examiners and their unions should have been consulted along with the Road Safety Authority and the Department of Transport.  We need a plan on how we get over 55,000 people through their driving test safely,” he said.