Batt O'Keeffe
Question:106 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to have the cars of road tax evaders clamped and further severe restrictions imposed on such cars in line with practice in the United Kingdom. [5627/96]
Written Answers. - Road Tax Evaders.
There is no legislative provision for wheelclamping vehicles for motor tax offences, nor have I any proposal to introduce such a provision.
The Garda were given new powers to tackle motor tax evasion under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994, which came into operation in April 1995. This new provision empowers the Garda to impound vehicles in respect of which motor tax has not been paid for a continuous period of three months or more. This adds considerable strength to existing motor tax enforcement measures which include an on-the-spot fine system operated by the Garda and traffic wardens, and a system of issuing second or final reminders to vehicle owners who have failed to tax their vehicles by the due date, with Garda follow-up.