Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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315. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the customers of a bank (details supplied) who are experiencing problems paying motor tax online; the steps that are being taken to rectify the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30481/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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While it is difficult to ascertain the specific issue that is being referred to here without more details; it is likely that is refers to new requirements that are now being imposed on cardholders when processing transactions online. The EU Payments Services Directive 2 (PSD2) require Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) to be used for all electronic transactions. The Directive requires all online service providers to capture additional transaction information pertaining to the cardholder and to send this to the cardholder’s bank. The cardholder’s banks use this data to verify the cardholder, with the intention of making the transaction process as seamless as possible, and remove or reduce any extra layer of friction at the payment stage. The aim of the Directive is to reduce online fraud and increase cardholder confidence in using online services.

My Departments Online motor tax service, at www.motortax.ie, is fully compliant with the Directive's requirements. All necessary technical changes have been made to the website to facilitate the requirements, and my officials worked directly with the banking institutions, including the Bank referred to by the Deputy, to ensure any initial teething troubles were addressed.

It is important to note however the requirement ensures that electronic payments are performed with multi-factor authentication to increase the security of electronic payments. Such multi-factor authentication can require a cardholder having to download their bank’s app on their mobile phone or tablet; or amend settings on the device to enable notifications to be received. This may require the cardholder having to engage directly with their bank to address any issues they may have in this regard. My officials also provide assistance for such issues.