Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Mar 1991

Vol. 406 No. 2

Written Answers. - Kerry Motor Taxation Office.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

40 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment if he will provide a temporary motor taxation office at the urban council offices in Listowel, County Kerry to help reduce the long queues which are now a common feature in the Tralee office.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

The motor tax office in Tralee caters for all motor taxation office business in County Kerry. Delays may occur at certain peak times but, generally speaking, the time taken to process applications at the counter is quite acceptable and long queues do not arise.

Motorists who do not wish to visit the motor tax office, or those living some distance from the office, have the option of renewing their motor tax through the free postal facility provided by my Department. Since 1987, a significant proportion of motorists are availing of this service. The vehicle registration unit of my Department sends a reminder notice to each vehicle owner about two weeks in advance of the expiry of the existing tax disc. This notice can be used as a tax renewal form and it contains preprinted details of the vehicle, including the appropriate quarterly, half-yearly and annual rate of tax. The form is accompanied by a post-paid reply envelope, addressed to the local motor tax office. Postal applications for motor tax renewals are, generally, processed on the day of receipt by the Tralee office.

In view of the extent to which the postal reminder notices are being availed of, I do not propose to sanction the provision of additional motor tax branch offices, temporary or otherwise.