Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 June 2014
103. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any leniency to allow persons to retrospectively declare their vehicle off the road within the parameters of the new legislation regarding motor tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24878/14]
View answerThe Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 came into effect on 1 July 2013, with the purpose of replacing the system whereby a vehicle was declared off the road retrospectively with a system under which the vehicle must be declared off the road in advance. The provision for retrospective declarations had become a means of evasion of motor tax.
The new arrangements have been fully in force since 1 October 2013, at the end of the transition period from 1 July 2013. These only allow for a future declaration which must be made in the month before tax falls due or during the final month of an existing off road declaration, i.e. the declaration must be made prospectively. The declaration of non-use can be made at any time during that month, either via the local motor tax office or online, and is free of charge.
I consider the full calendar month currently allowed for the making of a declaration to be sufficient to enable motorists to make a prospective declaration that their vehicle will be off the road. I have no plans to amend the legislation to provide for the re-introduction of retrospective declarations.
