asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the feasibility of a pay-as-you-drive road tax plan.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Tax Plan.
84.
There are serious practical objections to the plan in question. It would require an increase of about 8½p per gallon in the tax on motor fuel, which would adversely affect the tourist industry and, perhaps, also increase the costs of goods and services.
There would be little, if any, saving in administration costs as it would still be necessary to maintain a system of registration of motor vehicles for road traffic control and the identification and prosecution of offenders.
In the foregoing circumstances, I do not propose to adopt the plan.
When the Minister increased the tax on motorcars apparently the local authorities were not prepared with documentation or information as to what the increases were. I have met many people who found that was the position. I have a question down to the Minister for next week or the week after dealing with the tourist problem, but is the Minister aware that there is an EEC committee examining this problem at the moment, not only in relation to pollution but also in relation to diminishing tax rates on cars as they get older? The Minister might examine this situation to see if some more equitable form could be found for the taxation of motor cars.
I think the EEC discussions at present relate only to commercial vehicles.
They relate to a no-tax situation after six years.
I accept that, having regard to what the Deputy has in mind, it would be wise not to make any radical changes in our own code pending possible agreement between EC countries as to what the universal form of taxation should be.
Perhaps the Minister could give a lead.
We shall continue to watch the situation.