CLARE still has only one NCT centre, but work is underway to put a second one in place according to the Road Safety Authority’s Chief Operations Officer Brendan Walsh.
There had been plans for one in Shannon but they fell through and Clare TD Michael McNamara recently put forward a parliamentary question asking for information on the provision of a new NCT centre in Shannon.
He subsequently received correspondence from Mr Walsh which said, “I write further to your Dáil Question Number’s 154 in relation to the provision of a new National Car Test centre at Shannon, Co. Clare.
“The provision and development of new NCT centres is a matter for the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) Contractor.
“The NCTS Contractor has confirmed that following a recent advertising campaign for a suitable NCT premises in the Clare area, a number of submissions have now identified two potential sites that are currently undergoing a design and costing analysis.
“It is the intention of NCTS, if terms can be agreed as a result of the costing analysis, that an application for planning permission would be submitted without delay.
“The NCTS apologises that it is unable to give a definitive operational date for the development of the centre and is very much aware of the urgency in providing an additional centre to cater for the vehicle population in the Clare area.”
Mr McNamara wrote back to him asking where in Shannon the sites are, but Mr Walsh refused to be drawn.
“NCTS are in the middle of the negotiating process, the information regarding the selected sites at this point and time is commercially sensitive and I am sure you understand they do not want to jeopardise losing either site,” Mr Walsh said.
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked with a number of other publications in Limerick, Cork and Galway. His first book will be published in December 2024.