asked the Minister for the Environment if he will establish a motor tax and driving licence sub-office in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Motor Tax Sub-Office.
18.
(Dublin South-East): It would be a matter for the appropriate licensing authority — in this case Dublin Corporation — to consider in the first instance the provision of additional facilities such as a motor tax and driving licence sub-office in Dún Laoghaire, having regard to such issues as the necessary limitation of the range of services which could be provided by a sub-office, the central storage of records in relation to payment of excise duties and changes of ownership, the duplication of supervisory and accounting functions, and so on. There are many related problems involved in the Deputy's suggestion. I should point out, of course, that under existing statutory provisions, Dún Laoghaire Corporation could not itself be a licensing authority.
Does the Minister not accept that in the light of the congestion and chaos at the moment in River House where people have to go to fill out a form, particularly with the Bridewell and the Four Courts and the fruit markets nearby, he should favourably consider opening an office in Dún Laoghaire or some other part of south Dublin where people who would normally not have to go into town could relicence or tax their cars?
(Dublin South-East): I sympathise with the points made by the Deputy and a strong case can be made for his proposal. There is goodwill between Dublin Corporation and Dún Laoghaire Corporation and I cannot see why a meeting cannot be convened between the two authorities to see what can be done. I would favour any more simplistic system of issuing such licences. I agree with what the Deputy says. It is very difficult because of the parking situation. But I would recommend that the Deputy take the matter to Dublin Corporation and Dún Laoghaire Corporation to see if something can be done to alleviate the problem.
I support the views expressed by Deputy Cosgrave. Is the Minister aware that this is an old chestnut? It has been going on for quite a number of years and if it were not Deputy Cosgrave's turn to ask the question it would be my turn or Deputy Barry Desmond's turn or Deputy O'Donoghue's turn to ask the question. This problem has gone on and on without any resolution. There is a need for a separate registration office in Dún Laoghaire. The difficulties are not insuperable. It is because of simple bureacratic lethargy that there has been no resolution of the problem.
The Minister has suggested a solution and we are going on to the the next question.
Can the Minister give us any hope?
(Dublin South-East): I feel that the most practical and quickest way to solve this would be for Dublin Corporation and Dún Laoghaire Corporation to tackle it. Dublin Corporation might like to be relieved of the extra work involved.