I welcome section 64 because again, logic is coming into play.
SECTION 64.
Question proposed: "That section 64 stand part of the Bill."
The Deputy has a vested interest.
I had a vested interest at one time because I owned greyhounds. I do not own any at the moment. The legislation covering the horse racing authority included a provision relating to race tracks. It is logical to extend this to the greyhound industry. I welcome the provision and the fact that the logic of these matters is not lost on the Minister or the Department of Finance.
Question put and agreed to.
Sections 65 and 66 agreed to.
SECTION 67.
Question proposed: "That section 67 stand part of the Bill."
I welcome the Minister's decision and compliment him on it. However, I ask him to examine the disabled driver's scheme with a view to making it more user friendly. While there are substantial rebates of both VRT and VAT available, the disabled person who needs a car is often unable to raise the money to pay for the car first and claim the money subsequently. Disabled people have difficulty with banks and borrowing. There may be some way of addressing that issue whereby they would not have to pay the full price of the car at the time of purchase.
I also welcome this section because it deals with an anomaly which had arisen whereby the cost of converting a car for a disabled passenger had to be 20 per cent of the cost of the car. Sometimes a conversion only necessitated changing the passenger seat. The real cost was only about £200 or £300 and garages tended to inflate it to meet the legal requirement. At 10 per cent it has been brought nearer to the actual price of making the change in the car.
Previously discrimination was against the disabled passenger since a disabled driver could qualify if the change was as little as a knob on a steering wheel. The disabled passenger cannot get around without the use of a car. A Galway man, Martin Forde, who is a disabled passenger campaigned for years to eliminate this anomaly. He is pleased it has been brought down to 10 per cent and that disabled passengers will no longer be discriminated against.
Deputy McCormack contacted my office on this matter and made a substantial presentation to this committee last December. I am aware of these concerns and we are looking at ways to streamline the tax and tax related provisions.
Question put and agreed to.