asked the Minister for Local Government the terms of a regulation or instruction in his Department regarding the allocation of index marks and registration numbers by local authorities to main car dealers and others; if it is possible that a county council can issue index numbers in advance; if he is aware that great inconvenience is caused to car dealers because of the failure of some county councils to do so; if he will give full details of his Department's instructions to local authorities in the matter; and if he will make a statement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allocation of Car Index Marks and Numbers.
19.
The statutory regulations governing this matter provide that a licensing authority shall, on the first licensing of a vehicle, assign to it an identification mark consisting of an index mark and registered number. In the case of a vehicle which has been actually sold, it has been the practice for motor taxation offices to facilitate the motor trade by supplying an identification mark to the dealer over the telephone in anticipation of an immediate application on the prescribed form for a first licence. This practice has generally operated satisfactorily, but it has had to be discontinued in any areas where it has been found to be abused.
I am aware that there was considerable abuse of the concession recently in Laois County and in the circumstances my Department considered it necessary to issue an instruction that the concession should be withdrawn and that there should be strict adherence to the regulations in that county.