Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 10:

In page 12, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following subsection:

"(2) The Minister shall make provision for payment of any fee or charge under this Act to be made by electronic means.".

It is a simple amendment to ensure easy accessibility to the system for registration purposes. The Minister has already engaged in that in other areas of his brief, namely, motor tax and second properties. I see no reason in the Internet age for not facilitating the registration process and that we would have electronic means of paying the registration fee.

I take the opportunity to extend that change to the payment of dog licence fees. A significant amount of every dog licence fee that is paid through post offices is taken in fees by An Post, whereas if there was direct registration by electronic means the full amount of the licence fee could be used for what it is meant for, namely, to maintain proper standards in dog care and to provide council pounds. That would be a positive step to take. I am interested in hearing the Minister's response.