Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

On 1 March the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government introduced a worthwhile service in the form of on-line motor vehicle taxation. Unfortunately, this service is open to abuse. Will the Leader make immediate contact with the Minister and his Department urging them to close off the loophole whereby a person who wants to enter bogus details of their insurance can do so and receive a legitimate tax certificate for their vehicle in return? All one needs is access to the Internet, a laser or credit card and the special pin number and details of one's insurance. The Minister was probably not aware, in the rush to introduce the service, that a person can enter details of their insurance which are not accurate and are, in fact, bogus. Approximately €720 million is collected by the Department in vehicle taxation and it is important that we should ensure that uninsured persons would not be allowed to drive on the roads through use of this facility.