Seán Barrett
Ceist:8 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends that moneys collected from motor taxation will be allocated to local authorities for road works.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Motor Taxation Receipts.
In 1994, an estimated £222 million will be collected in the form of motor tax while £296.187 million will be provided in State road grants.
I do not propose to reduce the grants available for road investment by restricting them to the level of motor taxation receipts.
Figures supplied to me indicate that this year £100 million will be paid in motor tax and £241 million in car registration tax, giving a total of £341 million. It is essential that this money be allocated to a road network that is collapsing. We pay road tax and a registration tax on buying a vehicle and we are entitled to see that the moneys collected are used to provide a decent road network. Every day of the week cars are damaged by major potholes and lives are at risk from dangerous and collapsing roads. Will the Minister and his colleagues ensure that the revenue from all forms of road tax is spent on restoring the road network?
Let us not forget the tax on motor fuel.
Road grants this year to County Cavan total £7.68 million whereas the motor tax receipts are £3.5 million. Under the Deputy's proposals the allocation to County Cavan would be cut by a half.
That has nothing to do with Cavan.
County Kildare will receive road grants of £32 million, while the motor tax receipts are £8 million.
What is the figure for Dublin?
In County Louth road grants of £12.6 million will be paid and the receipts from road tax are £5.2 million.
What about the taxation on fuel?
In County Westmeath the road grants are £15.4 million and the motor tax receipts are £3.2 million.
What nonsense.
It would be disastrous for counties Cavan, Westmeath and others if their allocation came from those funds.
A parish pump Minister for the Environment.