Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of the amount paid by his Department to mobile telephone companies for the past five years; the name of the companies used; the criteria used in deciding which mobile telephone company to use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18888/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Since the establishment of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in July 2011, both my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform operate a shared service for the provision of mobile telephony service. The reply to the Deputy's question therefore also covers the answer as required by the Deputy in PQ reference number 18893/12. The amount spent on mobile phone bills in the last five years is set out in the table below.

Following an EU procurement exercise conducted by my Department, a mobile phone framework agreement was established to provide non-commercial public sector bodies with a simple way to procure mobile voice and data services at competitive rates from a list of qualified vendors. This framework commenced in February 2008. My Department ran a competition under the framework for its own mobile voice and data services in May 2008 and re-tendered the service again in March 2010. O2 was selected as the most economically advantageous response on both occasions.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to change the vehicle registration tax system in any way; if he will be introducing any changes to regulations or law that will impact on VRT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18911/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware Budget 2012 announced a public consultation on the system of VRT and Motor Tax to adjust CO2 bands and rates in line with technological advances in motor vehicles while maintaining a positive environmental incentive to reduce transport emissions. The closing date for receipt of submissions under the public consultation process was 1 March 2012 and 34 submissions were received.

Representatives of my Department, the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government are now reviewing the submissions received and will arrange for early meetings with SIMI and, where it is considered appropriate, other organisations and individuals to discuss their submissions.

Following the completion of this process my Department will bring froward recommendations for consideration.