Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
A COMPUTER GLITCH which resulted in hundreds of people having to resit the driver theory test could have potentially been a lot more damaging to road users, the AA has said.
The glitch meant that over 1,200 people were told that they had failed the test when they had in fact passed.
The driver theory test consists of 40 questions selected randomly from 1,250 potential ones. You have to get 35 answers right out of 40 in order to pass.
A technical error meant that one question of the 1,250 on the test came up marked as the incorrect answer when it was answered correctly.
The glitch entered the system on 26 June after a routine software upgrade and was in the system until it was spotted in November, after someone complained about their test result.
Of the the 1,216 candidates who failed the test as a result of the glitch, 610 had already re-taken it. Nobody passed the test who should have failed.
A spokesperson for AA Ireland said that although it was an error from the Road Safety Authority (RSA), the matter could have been a lot worse if the mistake had happened the other way around, and people who had failed the test had been told that they had passed.
“It would be significantly worse in terms of mopping up afterwards if it had been the other way around – if people who had actually failed had been told in error that they had passed,” said the spokesperson.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA), which delivers the test, apologised to anyone who was affected by the glitch.
In a statement, the RSA said that they had almost tracked down all of the people who had been given incorrect test scores and were giving a refund to anyone who had to take the test again.
“We have successfully contacted almost 100% of the affected candidates and less than 100 remain uncontacted,” they said.
“Further attempts will be made and we hope to reach remaining individuals by 23 November close of business.”
The AA spokesperson said that they expect the RSA to tighten up monitoring of their computer systems following the glitch.
“I feel sure that extra checks and balances will be put in place to ensure that it won’t happen again,” said the spokesperson.
“You could of course promise that there wouldn’t be another computer mistake in the future, but that would be a naive promise to make.”
You didn’t tell me everything I wanted to know, because I want to know how did that untalented gobshïte get the gig? It couldn’t possibly be because he ‘works’ for RTE and they look after their own, could it? Why oh why are RTE determined to created a career for this non talented, bland z list celeb?
Australia are in it that just proves how ridiculous it is
That old chestnut again.And London and New York and in the ALL IRELAND championship. What does that prove.
Ireland have no chance… Appalling song and a second rate singer who can’t even hit some of the notes…
Correct-he cannot sing, never could. There are genuinely talented singer songwriters in Ireland scraping by. What they would do to have that oppurtunity, that publicity and the chance to open up some doors to pave themselves a deserved career in music- doung something they love, something they are passionate about. This Nicky Byrne fella hasn’t a note in his head,never had to do an audition..he just git the gig. Then again he works for RTE (how did he get that gig as well?) and his father in law is Bertie Ahern. Call me cynical but…
Never had the chance and never will since the televoting came about.
Hilarious ! the man has no chance he can’t sing, we need a voice that has you interested in the first five seconds and has you hair standing up within a minute, like the chat show stick to it buddy. Saying that I think we are going in the right direction we need to try harder before the Sweds knock us off our perch
You are cynical.Who would you pick for us to send so?didn’t we send a young passionate singer starting out in the music business last year and where did that get us.non qualification from the semis. That’s where.
*Ireland* is not competing. It’s a competition between broadcasters.
There’s always backing singers and I suspect, like with Jedward, the male singers will actually carry the tune. The few snippets of the record I’ve heard sound autotuned to feck.
Every time you see his smirking face all I see is his father in law smirking as he sail into the sunset with our hard earned taxes in his back pocket ( not to mention his winning on a horses). This is the first time ever I really hope Ireland doesn’t do well.
Another cringe worthy entry from Ireland
Makes Ronan look talented
#cringe
I think this years entry is ok, Nicky Byrne is likeable. It wouldnt matter who we send, we will still end up with a few points from UK and i will still be sticking my 2 fingers up at the TV and cursing every Polish, Russian and German etc for not voting for us
Will you be cursing Ireland for not voting for them?
Every thing you wanted to know? Most people just want to know what time the results are announced.
typical Irish incestuous set up, RTE give the gig to Bertie`s son-in law, no competition, done deal, with no hope of winning either.
Eurovision wrong contest
Would love to be invited to one of those great hilarious Eurovision parties people have that night with tinsel and feather boas…. Said no person with a life ever.
You’re right, anyone with a life spends all day commenting sh!t€ on the Journal instead.
Please God not Marty Whelan! I’d much rather hear from Marty Morrissey, there’s a man who is positive, well-spoken, and doesn’t whine like a spoiled child. Whelan makes me ashamed to be Irish (the only thing that really does, other than we still compete in the Yoyovision). I’ll watch, of course, as it’s family tradition. But I’ll watch Auntie Beeb, as Graham Norton is marginally less annoying, and get the voting det’s at the last minute.
IRELAND NIL PUA!
Would be better off sending a more talented individual like…….Dustin the Turkey…
I bet few of the millions of people who voted for last year’s winning song could name the singer or sing a line from the winning song! The glory days of Eurovision, when getting a winning song was a launching pad to international fame and fortune are long gone. It’s time to relegate the whole competition to the archives of quaint 20th century tv shows.
Complete talentless garbage. Remember this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcsXtiN8-UY
Who cares !!!
We couldn’t have sent a better person than Nicky Byrne he is amazing and I just love the song we won’t win cos all the countries vote for their neighbours so all we have is England so it doesn’t matter who we send we will never win it again but Nicky is lovely I met him and I wish him the very best of luck
Very bad intonation on his voice. Of course it could be just bad monitoring as that can happen on live TV so the gig will tell us all as they should have it sorted. Either way it won’t excite the political voting blocs. The only way we’d ever win it again is by moving the country to between Croatia and Serbia or somewhere and leaving brown envelopes for the adjudicating panel in the semifinals.
Lazarev is no Kirkorov nor Bilan, cant see him winning this.
Will it be another freak show this year?
It’s a load of nonsense music is crap should not be shown on prime time tv
Daragh, How much will it cost Ireland this year as each year we have to give them millions to be involved in it?
Believe me when I say there’s nothing I want to know about this years Eurovision!
have your say