€2M plus cost of NCT Centre queried

The need for a National Car Test (NCT) centre in the Cootehill area was highlighted at the July monthly meeting of Cavan County Council.

Fianna Fáil Councillor Aiden Fitzpatrick raised the issue saying it had previously been tabled by Councillor Shane P O’Reilly at a meeting as far back as 2016.

“It’s going on the last number of years”, he said.

The Cootehill native explained how parent company, Apple Plus, sought to put an NCT centre into the town.

“Terrence Smith contacted me looking for a site to build a test centre.”

He explained that the Spanish company, Apple Plus, rent out buildings and put NCT test centres into them.

They had assessed Cootehill as an option and were happy to proceed.

The service first advertised for a property in the Cootehill area in March 2021, readvertising again in June 2022.

Cllr Fitzpatrick explained Mr Smith had received six prices from different companies to build the premises, with the best option working out at €2.1 million.

“They reckon that is too costly”, says Cllr Fitzpatrick.

He stated the Spanish company believe it could be completed more cheaply.

However, due to the cost of inflation, Cllr Fitzpatrick believes this is not the case.

“He’s working really hard on this. Terrace has put a lot of money and time into this,” he said.

“We need a test centre. It will bring people from Cavan and Monaghan to Cootehill. That’s 150 cups of coffee,” continued Cllr Fitzpatrick.

He proposed the council write a letter to the Minister for Transport and Apple Plus, asking what is causing the delay.

Sinn Féin Councillor Paddy McDonald agreed an additional NCT test centre in the county is badly needed.

“If you don’t have valid NCT, you’re not insured if something happens,” he said.

Cllr T.P. O’Reilly also supported the motion.

The council agreed to write a letter to both parties requesting further information.

According to the Road Safety Authority, there are approximately 1.5 million cars to be tested in 2023.