Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the matter of motor taxation prior to next week’s budget announcement. An unfair anomaly has appeared during the years and now there is an opportunity to remove it. To my surprise, I have been informed that 60% of people tax their car every three months. For those who choose to tax their car for three months rather than half yearly or for the year, there is an additional fee. It costs more to tax one’s car every quarter rather than annually. As it looks like there is some leeway in the forthcoming budget, the opportunity should be taken to correct this anomaly. Those who tax their car every quarter are most likely to be struggling. Their car is not a luxury item but a tool of employment in commuting to work. The same fee for taxing one’s car should apply to quarterly, half yearly and annual options. This should be put to the Minister for Finance.