Fine Gael moved a Private Member's motion calling for the abolition of charges for pensioners involved in the national car test.

While welcoming the introduction of the test, its spokesman on social affairs, Mr Jim O'Keeffe, said the Government had overlooked a small but hugely important problem in its rush to get the scheme started.

"How do we enable our pensioners and older people to meet the costs they face in paying test fees and in having to upgrade or replace their cars? For it would be a shame, no, a disgrace, if, by ignoring their plight, we ended up forcing them off our roads, turning them from citizens who, in their golden years, can travel to the shops, to Mass, to visit their relatives, into prisoners in their own homes."

Mr Brian Hayes (FG, Dublin South West) said: "Like so many of the announcements which emanate from this Government, I believe there was virtually no consideration given to the ability of fixed and low-income groups to pay for the test."

Rejecting the motion, the Minister of State for the Marine, Mr Danny Wallace, said that as well as proposing the abolition of test fees for pensioners it was proposed that where repairs to a car cost more than £250, a subsidy should be given so that a replacement car could be bought which would be at most three years old.

"On the face of it, what is being proposed is that subsidies should be taken from general taxation, paid in by many who cannot afford to own a car at all, and given to those who would qualify by virtue of having reached 65 years and being in possession of a car."

He said it could become hugely attractive for individuals to put their cars in the name of a parent or friend of 65 years or older. "It would be impossible to police such a scheme and the drain on the taxpayer would be enormous."

He said motoring costs had not been the subject of social subsidies except in the case of drivers with disabilities.

The Government amendment to the debate was accepted by 72 votes to 62.