Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 511: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will make changes to the current facility to declare a vehicle off the road for the purposes of motor tax in view of the increases in motor tax in budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40775/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 532: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the taxing of unused vehicles (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41227/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 511 and 532 together.

I intend to bring forward legislation this year to address the issue of off-the-road declarations, unrelated to changes in motor tax rates. Currently, owners declare vehicles off-the-road for the purposes of motor tax after the fact, which is effectively unverifiable and open to abuse. I intend to provide that drivers will be able to declare their intention to keep their vehicle off-the-road in advance, so that if a vehicle is not to be used on a public road for a number of months, the owner will be able to inform the relevant authorities before taking the car off the road rather than afterwards, and so avoid a liability for motor tax. Vehicles used solely for off-road purposes are not liable for motor tax and this will remain the position.