Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I congratulate Judge Maureen Harding Clark on her follow-up report on the Neary case. That sorry saga is very important, and we express our appreciation to Judge Harding Clark for her work.

The Irish Nurses Organisation meets in conference this week, and there has been much debate in media circles on whether the Tánaiste had received an invitation, replied to it and was available to address the conference. We understand that it is the first time in the history of the INO conference that the serving Minister for Health and Children will not address it. It is only fair and right that we put on the record that the INO made every effort to facilitate the Minister. A spokesperson from the Minister's office said that she would be in the United States but, over three days, it is not unrealistic to expect the Minister to make some serious effort to address the INO as it meets to discuss serious issues in the health service, not least in accident and emergency services. It is an affront to the INO that the Tánaiste would snub it in this manner.

I also wish to raise the issue of the motor tax on-line payment provision on the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government website. This issue was first raised when the system was introduced two years ago. There is now a situation whereby people can tax their cars without actually having them insured. The old manual system meant that when one sent details to the local licensing authority, one had to include a certificate of insurance. That is not the case any longer; one can now enter bogus insurance details and still get one's tax disc in the post three or four days later. In an era of carnage on our roads that seems to be never-ending, it is a disgrace that uninsured cars are being taxed in this country, and that no serious attempt has been made to curb that loophole. It is vital that we bring this loophole to the attention of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, as soon as possible. There is a major issue about road carnage and about cars that are not of a certain standard, and sadly the matter of non-nationals losing their lives for a variety of reasons, including speeding and the use of left-hand-drive cars. The State is promoting the fact that uninsured cars are taking to the roads; that loophole is being enabled by the State. I appeal to the Acting Leader to communicate that message urgently to the Minister so the loophole can be closed.