andMr. Desmond asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that the regulation whereby an extra charge is made on the road tax paid quarterly by an owner of a motor vehicle who is unable to tax his car for a six-monthly period for the first six months of the year and as a result has to pay two quarterly periods at an extra cost imposes heavy expense on motorists who are unable to pay the yearly tax at the one time; and, if so, if he will amend the regulations to permit payment either quarterly or half-yearly as desired, at the normal tax of one-quarter or one-half the yearly tax.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Tax.
Amendment of the regulations on the lines suggested by the Deputies is not contemplated.
Does the Minister not realise that it is a hardship, particularly on lorry owners, who cannot afford to tax for the full year, to have to pay an exorbitant rate by paying quarterly? Is it not correct to say that such a State system tends towards a sort of moneylending with such high rates?
The Deputies have raised the question of motor vehicles generally and obviously any rearrangement of charges involves revenue and other considerations.
Even though it does tend to bring in matters such as revenue the hardship imposed on lorry owners and people who have to have cars is considerable having regard to the high rates as a result of these quarterly charges.
The matter is not being lost sight of.