Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Finance is fully aware of the stress of the motor industry in Ireland. He also recognises, as he said in the Budget Statement last year, that the way motor tax is currently levied gives an enormous bias towards top end, low CO2 cars. That will have to be balanced out. His announcements in the budget concerning the way in which the tax issue will be resolved will not be a surprise to people.

On the Deputy's question about having a second time of the year for the registration of cars, that is something the Minister and the Department are examining following the consultation with the industry. It is under active consideration and I have no doubt the Minister will have due regard to the Deputy's comments last year and this year about bringing forward those proposals. However, I do not wish to second guess what might be in the budget.

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