Senator Pádraig MacLochlainn
Inishowen needs a Driving Licence Service office- Senator Mac Lochlainn
Donegal Senator, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has raised the issue of locating an office of the National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) in Inishowen with the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross.
In a response from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) on behalf of the Minister, the RSA indicated that 95% of customers are within 50km of an office and that they are reviewing services to examine and develop online and postal options.
Senator Mac Lochlainn said: “My colleague Cllr Albert Doherty has recently raised his concerns publicly about the distance people in North Inishowen have to travel to obtain a learner permit or a driving licence in the NDLS office in Letterkenny.
“Everywhere north of Drumfries are more than the benchmark 50km away from the Letterkenny office. Indeed people in Malin Head are 77km away. Over 50% more than the acceptable distance away from an office according to the RSA who oversee the service.
“I have raised this matter directly with the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross and the RSA have responded, indicating they are reviewing the service on an ongoing basis but giving no commitment to an Inishowen office.
“Another issue for people here in Inishowen is not just the distance away but the traveling back and forth with documentation and the bureaucracy involved at times.
“I will continue to raise this matter as all too often, national organisations and government departments have a blind spot when it comes to services and development in Inishowen.
“We fought and won the battle over locating a NCT centre in Inishowen for motorists here and we need to continue this fight for equality of access every time, if need be.”
