Mallon accused of ‘driving test backlog fisaco’ as she unveils Londonderry-Limerick-Cork railway proposal

A prominent DUP figure has rounded upon SDLP transport minister Nichola Mallon, calling for her department to be put into “special measures” over what he says is a failure to get to grips with NI’s “driving test fiasco”.
By Adam Kula
Published 7th Oct 2020, 21:09 BST
Updated 7th Oct 2020, 21:14 BST
Nichola MallonNichola Mallon
Nichola Mallon

South Belfast MLA Christopher Stalford said there is a rising backlog of tests, stemming in large part from the absence of testing during the Covid-19 outbreak, and that the public need to have answers to a number of questions.

These include how many tests have been booked online since the system reopened; how many are still waiting for an appointment; and whether there will be evening and weekend appointments to clear the backlog.

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He said before Covid about 4,700 practical tests took place per month, but that there were none done at all for at least five months during the pandemic.

He said: “It’s time for the Executive to put special measures in place as the minister is failing.

“Yesterday in the Assembly the minister claimed that Northern Ireland was performing better in delivering driving tests than other regions, including the Republic of Ireland, where there is an eight-month waiting list for an appointment.

“However, what evidence has she presented to back this up?”

In a separate message today, Ms Mallon announced that she has agreed to have a feasibility study drawn up into the potential for a high-speed rail connection from Belfast to Cork via Dublin, and that it will also include Londonderry and Limerick.

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The Belfast-Cork proposal had formed part of the New Decade, New Approach deal which resurrected the Stormont Executive.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP said: “The SDLP joined the Executive so that we could deliver for people and communities that have been left behind for far too long. The best way to enhance opportunities for those communities is to enhance connectivity by investing in cleaner, greener infrastructure.

“I am delighted SDLP and Green Party m inisters have agreed to extend the commitment to high speed rail to include Derry and Limerick.”

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Related topics:Nichola MallonSDLPChristopher StalfordColum EastwoodDUPRepublic of Ireland