Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 412: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on introducing a fairer method of motor taxation and amending the recently announced system in order to permit motorists purchasing new vehicles with low emissions before July 2008 to avail of the lower rate of motor tax in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22018/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The question of retrospection of the new CO2 based motor tax system for new cars was the subject of detailed debate in the House resulting in an amendment of the Bill to cater for new cars registered before 1 July 2008. Under the Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Act 2008 new cars registered between 1 January 2008 and 30 June 2008 will initially have their motor tax charged on the basis of engine size. If it is beneficial for these cars to switch to the CO2 based motor tax system, this will happen on the first renewal of motor tax after 1 July 2008. New cars which are registered in the first 6 months of 2008 whose tax would be higher under the CO2 based system will continue to pay motor tax on the basis of engine size.