Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I commend my colleague Senator Bacik and other colleagues from the Government side for showing a commendable independence of mind in regard to the Seanad abolition referendum. I do not know which is most scary, that we have a toxic Taoiseach who is afraid to show himself to the public because he is so unpopular or that the Taoiseach cannot be let out by his handlers because they do not have confidence in him to defend his ideas in public.

Neither scenario is reassuring.

I support the point made by Senator Whelan on changing the arrangement for taxing vehicles that are off the road. This is a case of massive administrative insensitivity, not to speak of incompetence. Only last week, an owner of a Massey Ferguson 35, whom I met me at the ploughing championships, informed me that the brown tax book for his tractor had been lost. Number plates used to be painted on many of these older tractors and now that the tax book is long lost, the owner must incur significant expense if he is to meet the requirement to re-register his tractor. This is a classic example of a failure to foresee the types of problems that could arise when a measure is introduced.

As Senator Whelan noted, queues have formed outside motor tax offices. Why was an online system of registration not made available? How will those who have emigrated tax vehicles that are off the road? Why was better notice not given of the new measure? Will the deadline be extended? The Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government must explain the position to the House. People should be given until the end of the year to register vehicles that are off the road and an online system should be introduced to in order that people are no longer required to queue for hours. One must bear in mind that many motor tax offices are understaffed. Farmers must leave their land and others must leave their offices to join the queue. This is not an acceptable approach to administration.

In the case of older tractors, the registration fee, which has increased significantly in recent years, should be reduced to the previous rate of €50. There is no reason people who have been driving tractors for years on their own land as opposed to the public highway should be penalised to such an extent. I ask that the Minister come before the House to address this issue.