The union representing driving testers has said the cancellation of over 1,300 driving tests to allow testers to debate privatisation plans aimed at reducing the backlog was unavoidable.
Secretary general of Impact Tom Hoare said an extraordinary general meeting in Athlone today could not be held in the evening or at the weekend. Around 1,300 tests were cancelled and rescheduled to a later date to make way for the meeting.
The Impact union says there was no other day on which the meeting could be held.
"Driving testers are already working six days a week, Saturday included, up to 9pm in the evening, so it is not physically possible to get them together on any other day, other than a Sunday," Mr Hoare told RTÉ'S Morning Ireland.
"As it happens, this weekend some other people dealing with the issue aren't available," he added. "Any test that was cancelled will be rearranged at very short notice, there is no question of people going to the end of the waiting list."
More than 110 testers gathered in Athlone to decide if they should allow a private company to carry out up to 45,000 completed tests.
The testers are meeting to discuss the Labour Relations Commission recommendations over the outsourcing of 40,000 completed tests, with the option of another 5,000.
There are now more than 138,000 people waiting to sit their tests.
Tom Hoare, Impact trade union.
Mr Hoare said the testers would also be discussing the wider issue that State jobs should not be given to the private sector. He said more than 20,000 tests had been completed since examiners started doing extra tests last February.
Minister for Transport Martin Cullen said the contract for private testers would be used solely to achieve a defined number of completed tests to help eliminate the current backlog of applications. It could be extended to 45,000 tests if necessary.
The Minister, who has described the backlog as totally unacceptable, said the outsourcing could begin on July 1st if the plans are accepted.