This meeting has been convened to consider the Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008, which has been referred to the select committee by order of the Dáil of 26 February 2008.
I welcome the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, and his officials to the meeting. Before we proceed may I have the agreement of members to the grouping schedule which has been circulated? It is proposed to group the following amendments for the purpose of debate, amendments Nos. 2, 6, 9 and 10. All other amendments that are not grouped will be discussed individually. Is that agreed? Agreed.
For the information of members, amendments Nos. 3, 4, 7 and 8 have been ruled out of order as they address the new motor tax system based on CO2 emissions. The Bill provides that the new tax rates will be applied to new cars registered after 1 July 2008. Amendments Nos. 3, 7 and 8 seek to remove the reference to "1 July 2008" while amendment No. 4 seeks to substitute "February" for "July". The effect of all these amendments is to apply the new rates, including the punitive rates for cars with high emission levels, from an earlier date than is provided for in the Bill. These amendments must be ruled out of order as having the potential to raise a charge on the people.