Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
934. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter relating to declarations regarding restoration projects of cars off the road (details supplied) on the motortax.ie website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37983/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for bringing this matter to my attention and I have made arrangements to have the relevant information on the motortax.ie website, re-worded. It is clear from the Q&A document as a whole, and, in particular, from the month-by-month guide, that the existing arrangements for making a Garda witness declaration will remain in operation until 30 September 2013.
A declaration period of up to twelve months is reflective of the fact that, for the majority of vehicle owners, the period of non-use is relatively short-term, and it is the same as the longest period for which motor tax may be paid. An analysis of Garda witness declarations made in the twelve months ending July 2012 shows that just over 27,000 (5%) of the 539,000 declarations covered a period in excess of 12 months. A vehicle owner who has made a non-use declaration will receive a reminder in the last month of the period of the notice, and may renew the declaration, or pay motor tax, as his or her circumstances require.
