Dr. Keith Walsh:

As the Chair is probably aware, motortax.ie accounts for the vast majority of motor tax transactions, with approximately 85% of transactions in most years. The remaining 15% or so are done through the motor tax offices, which are run by the local authorities.

There have been a number of attempts through the years to look at whether other functions could be put into the post offices and motor tax was considered in that regard. Up to now, it has proven quite difficult to do because, in effect, it would probably need the post offices to have full access to the Department's IT system that runs the motor tax website. That IT system is also used by the motor tax offices. There also needs to be a printing facility for the tax discs. It has not happened so far. As the Deputy may be aware, we are planning to remove the need for paper motor tax discs over the next year or so. Once we do that, it will open up a lot more possibilities for making it easier for motor tax to be paid in other locations and through different channels.