andMr. Timmons asked the Minister for Local Government the total amount of money collected from the special tax of £5 for the registration of new cars since its introduction.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Car Registration Tax.
10.
The information in the form requested is not available. The total amount collected from the registration charge since its introduction on 1st June, 1973 to the 31st December, 1974 amounted to £663,262. This amount covers all new and used vehicles not previously registered in the State, on which a registration charge of £1 or £5 would have been payable. It may assist the Deputies, however, to know that the number of new private cars registered for the first time in the State in that period was 98,722 and at £5 per car that comes to £493,610.
Could the Minister tell me if it is true that new registrations have dropped seriously and that many thousands of people will lose jobs as a result of the indecision of the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
That is a separate matter altogether.
No. I think Deputy Lemass is aware of the fact that negotiations took place between the Government of which he was a junior Minister and the motor assemblers some years ago. He should not raise something in the House which is an apparent attempt to injure the possibility of a settlement in a very delicate operation at present.
Question No. 11.
Will the Minister for Local Government agree with me——
Deputy Lemass, this is completely out of order. This is not relevant. Question No. 11.
Would the Minister agree with me that this will probably cost this city 1,500 jobs in my constituency?
No, I would not agree with the Deputy.
It is true. The Minister should check with his trade union.
The Deputy means the Minister's former trade union.