Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I also join in the welcome to the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Gallagher. I very much welcome the opportunity to make a short contribution to the debate on this Bill. I was just looking at some of the information leaflets available in the inquiry office for those who visit the Houses of the Oireachtas. They indicate that legislation in a democratic society should be fair and make Ireland a safe place. Looking through the schedule of charges for motor tax, in particular, I notice that the rate of duty for a small car not exceeding 1000 cc is €144. It goes up to €278 for cars under 1400 cc, €298 for cars under 1500 cc and €372 for cars under 1600 cc. As the Minister of State said, these rates cover most cars in the country. However, the rate of duty on cars exceeding 3,000 cc is €1,279 or approximately £1,000. It is useful that the legislation includes this schedule, which gives us an opportunity to discuss the roads and how we conduct the business of charging motor tax and trade plate licences.

The Minister of State indicated that there are two technical amendments on motor tax law in the Bill and that there is also an enabling power for the Minister to facilitate the processing of on-line motor tax applications. This is an interesting development. People often forget that information technology is available in every town and parish. Last night I attended the opening by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, of an information technology unit which uses an old school at Clan Doyle near Glenamaddy in County Galway. Glenamaddy is famous for the song about the four roads. I am sure there are four roads to every town, but there are four particular roads to Glenamaddy.