must work efficiently. The Bill also advances the Government's digital agenda and improves the efficiency of public service delivery. The law on motor tax, vehicle records and speed limits must reflect how services are now delivered and how road safety decisions are now made.
There is also … things. It modernises the national vehicle and driver file; underpins the Check My Vehicle service; removes the need to display a paper motor tax disc; allows open-ended declarations for non-use; supports more flexible and evidence-based speed limit management; provides a statutory basis for sharing collision
Search the record
Every word spoken in the Dáil and every parliamentary question asked, matched on word forms as well as exact spelling, so "housing" also finds "houses".
Narrow it down: a TD or a date range
25+ in debates · 25+ in questions
In debates
Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) with the Minister for Transport holding responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the National Roads Programme;
— motor tax can either be paid in one less expensive lump sum or more costly instalments disproportionately impacting lower-income motorists; and
— annual increases … diesel and petrol, and do not proceed with future scheduled increases;
— end the financial penalty imposed on people who cannot afford to pay motor tax in one single payment;
— stand up to insurance companies to ensure fair and stable motor insurance costs and to address the disproportionate profits
cost of petrol and diesel in this budget. Over and over again, we have this penalty for people who cannot pay their motor tax. I have raised this continually each year and I am going to raise it now with the Minister for the first time. That … bygone day. That motor tax penalty comes from the days when tax discs had to be posted out and we did not even have computers or the Internet. That is how far back that goes. It is ridiculous that people are penalised because they cannot pay motor tax
tax structures in the State have a strong environmental rationale, with the more pollutant, fossil-fuelled cars paying higher rates of tax, between motor tax, benefit in kind, BIK, vehicle registration tax, VRT, and the nitrogen oxide, NOx, charge. In contrast, low-emission cars and electric vehicles … July 2025 in the Finance Act 2024. Other measures are in place such that EVs also benefit from low rates of annual motor tax. New proposals are considered and current vehicle tax policies are kept under review as part of the tax strategy group which is the transparent
deal with one of the meanest Government penalties that there is, which is the punishment for anyone who cannot afford to pay their motor tax in one go. How it works is that if a driver, for any reason, cannot afford their motor tax and needs
larger impacts of energy markets and embedded costs, as well as pricing policy at wholesale and retail level.
On the surcharge on motor tax, funnily enough, I am in general agreement with Sinn Féin. However, nowhere in the motion does it state how it will fund … million it costs to equalise the rate for people paying in instalments. I agree that people who pay in instalments for motor tax are those who cannot afford to pay annually and should not be penalised. However, I note that the general scheme of the National Vehicle
cost-of-living crisis than handing it over to some private investment vehicle.
The motion also points to the fact that paying motor tax in instalments is more expensive than paying it in a single lump sum. For example, a driver paying an annual tax of €390 will … simple matter of fairness. The Labour Party has been calling for reform of this unfair system for years. We proposed in 2023 that motor tax instalment surcharges be abolished or at least reduced to a purely administrative cost, estimated at less than 1%. The system, as it stands
putting petrol or diesel into a car. The average motor insurance policy rose 9% last year, almost double the European average. As for motor tax, those with the means actually pay less than those who cannot afford the lump sum payment; those who have no choice … because there is literally no alternative. This evening, the Government has a choice. It can stop the proposed toll increases, end the motor tax financial penalty and support this motion
current Vote, as the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, has just said. What that means for the House is that reforms in motor tax, modernisations listed in the national vehicle and driver file and the road traffic Bill 2026 will generate some savings. Once the relevant provisions … Bill are enacted, they will remove the requirement to display a paper motor tax disc, therefore reducing the Department’s administrative costs by approximately €8 million per annum.
It is important to say to the House that priority will be given to protecting the PSO funding as part
provisions represent real common-sense reforms. They look at the modernisation of the national vehicle and driver file, the removal of outdated paper motor tax discs, improvements to collision data sharing, which I will speak more about, and measures designed to strengthen road safety enforcement and planning. These … given, I will struggle to support this Bill, notwithstanding the other positive elements I see within it.
The abolition of the paper motor tax disc is overdue and is something I welcome. As we know, the Garda is now relying on automatic number plate recognition systems and access
welcome and will bring driving regulations and monitoring somewhat into the 21st century. The decision to finally abolish the paper motor tax discs is an important measure. For decades we forced motorists to have this piece of paper on their windscreens while the rest of society moved ahead … with the Garda in terms of automatic numberplate recognition etc., but I would love to see insurance discs gone as well as the motor tax discs on cars. There should be a way of working that, maybe not in this legislation but soon.
Broadly, I welcome the Bill
they cannot drive on their local roads without fear of bursting a tire or damaging the suspension of their cars. They pay their taxes, motor tax, local property tax, carbon tax and huge insurance costs. They are paying and paying but they are not getting the level
raised in the debate on the motion put forward by Sinn Féin on the cost of motoring. Sinn Féin has expressed the view that the May and October 2025 carbon tax increases should be reversed with … further increases taking place. Sinn Féin also calls on the Government to not proceed with toll price increases and to abolish the motor tax surcharge for quarterly and biannual payments. The motion also calls on the Government to progress and enact Sinn Féin's Judicial Council (Amendment) Bill
addressed as it is simply unfair. I ask that we consider using the taxes that are very much local based, for example, motor tax, the residential zoned land tax and the new derelict property tax.
I understand the local democracy task force met six times and will produce
toll hikes, which could have been done, to reverse the carbon tax increases on fuel, to end the financial penalties for paying motor tax in instalments and to stand up to the insurance industry in order that the benefits of the long-promised reforms are passed
electric vehicles, a home charger purchase grant, vehicle registration tax, VRT, relief of up to €5,000 and a low rate of annual motor tax
Maintaining the accuracy, effectiveness and legal robustness of that system is essential. I welcome the decision to remove the requirement for a paper motor tax disc. It is a sensible modernisation of a system that has changed very little despite the widespread digitalisation of our public services. Most
their local roads because of the conditions? People in rural areas, as well as paying for huge fuel costs, are forking out for motor tax, local property tax, which the Government has increased, and soaring insurance prices, yet many local roads are in the worst condition in decades
stop further toll hikes, to hold energy companies to account and to end financial penalties for those who have to pay their motor tax in instalments. These real and practical measures would have eased the pressure on workers, families and the struggling haulage SME sector. Instead, Fianna Fáil
Government to stop price hikes to petrol and diesel and to end the penalty imposed on people who cannot afford to pay motor tax in one single payment and the proposed toll increase planned for January 2026. It is an extremely expensive time to be a motorist, especially … Work, education and shops are all held to ransom by the limited transport services we have. My constituents are bearing the brunt of motor costs and it is completely unfair, especially in a cost-of-living crisis. Households are struggling to pay their bills, fill their tanks
Canada and all over the world and we need to bring them home. We need to bring them home by incentivising them with tax breaks and financial incentives. It is really important we launch a financial campaign with a package to build those workers home to build houses … consistently has delays and is not obeying its own statutory timelines. If you, I or any citizen of this country failed around our motor tax or insurance we would have to pay a sanction but there seems to be no accountability around planning. We need more planners
will allow an efficient payment system through an online portal application, which will be a simple application with certain criteria set out around tax compliance and various things like that which are important. Engagement with the European Commission on state-aid rules is ongoing in parallel with … issued by the Department of Transport.
In all cases, only vehicles registered on the Department’s National Vehicle and Driver File database with motor tax paid and a valid commercial vehicle road worthiness test, CVRT, certificate will be eligible for support under the scheme. All applicants will
Bill. There are a number of practical changes in it that I support. It removes the outdated requirement to display a paper motor tax disc, reflecting the fact that gardaí can now check tax status electronically through automatic numberplate recognition. That is a great positive. It strengthens Check … Vehicle, giving people buying a second-hand car better access to official information on a vehicle's tax and roadworthiness status. It allows local authorities to access collision data so they can identify dangerous locations and better target road safety improvements. This is critical to all our communities
location and An Garda Síochána has powers of seizure for a vehicle being driven dangerously or which lacks registration, insurance or motor tax or where the driver does not hold the relevant driving licence. In short, outside of appropriate use in appropriate off-road settings, scrambler … Garda Síochána has been given significant new powers and tools to enable it to fully enforce road safety laws. Since November 2023, the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland, MIBI, has been providing insurance details to An Garda Síochána. Details for 3 million vehicles and 5 million drivers
Traffic Act 1961, a mechanically propelled vehicle, such as a scrambler, can only be legally used in public places if it is registered, taxed, insured, roadworthy and has a registration plate. The driver must hold the relevant driving licence. Most scramblers are designed for off-road use only … will: provide a clear legislative basis for local authorities to directly receive and process road collision data; abolish the requirement to display a motor tax disc as part of the wider paperless windscreen project; allow a jury to consider a charge of careless driving where a defendant
In parliamentary questions
Paul Lawless
Written
Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been brought to ongoing technical failures affecting the online motor tax payment service, which have prevented citizens from renewing their motor tax online (detail supplied); the cause of these disruptions; the number of users affected … will introduce to prevent future outages, given the significant inconvenience caused to motorists who rely on online services for timely renewal of their motor tax. [21245/26
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Written
Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider changes to the criteria for the refunding of motor tax in circumstances where the cost of repairing a motor vehicle is uneconomical and costs more than the vehicle is worth, while the motor tax paid
John Paul O'Shea
Written
Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider reforming the motor tax online payment system to facilitate bulk purchases and renewals of motor tax by corporate fleet owners; if he has examined the system in operation in the UK, where multiple vehicle
Thomas Gould
Written
Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport whether motor tax revenue is ringfenced or utilised in general expenditure; the amount taken in motor tax revenue in 2025; and the reason this no longer transfers to local authorities. [18153/26
Mattie McGrath
Written
Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the motor tax status of Ukrainian registered vehicles currently driving in the State; when the temporary exemptions from Motor Tax and NCT for Ukrainian vehicles will be abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64965/26
Darren O'Rourke
Written
Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport whether motor tax revenue is ringfenced for expenditure on road construction and road improvements; the amount taken in motor tax revenue in each year from 2015-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25239/26
John Paul O'Shea
Written
Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No.396 of 18 March 2026, if he will reconsider the opportunity that exists when reforming the motor tax disc system in the near future to incorporate the facilitation of bulk purchases and renewals of motor tax by corporate fleet owners
Shay Brennan
Written
Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown of motor tax revenue for the most recent year for which figures are available, by local authority area based on the registered address of the vehicle owner; and to clarify that for the purposes of this … breakdown, motor tax payments should be attributed to the local authority in which the vehicle owner ordinarily resides, irrespective of whether the payment was made online or in a different local authority area. [6498/26
John Lahart
Written
road tax in 2024; and the normal protocol for dealing with a driver with an out-of-date or non-display of a motor tax disc. [18958/25
Emer Currie
Written
Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport for an update on a motor tax disk for a person (details supplied). [70294/26
Peadar Tóibín
Written
Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the total amount collected in motor tax from vehicles registered in County Clare in each of the past five years; and the amount invested by the State in the maintenance and improvement of roads in County Clare in each
Noel McCarthy
Written
Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 471 of 9 June, to provide an update on proposals for the alternative display of paper motor tax and insurance discs under the National Vehicle and Driver File, Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2026; and if he will make a statement
Joe Cooney
Written
under the budgetary process, distinct from the funding allocated for disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme; the proposed maximum grant under VAS; whether motor tax, fuel grant and toll exemptions will be included for VAS recipients; whether supports for people with vision impairment will be included; the proposed
Roderic O'Gorman
Written
Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his Department has plans to review the motor-tax system for pre-2008 vehicles, in order that they may also be taxed based on CO2 emissions, consistent with the system for vehicles from 2008 to-date
Roderic O'Gorman
Written
Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has any plans at present to review the motor tax system for pre-2008 vehicles, in order that they may also be taxed based on CO2 emissions, consistent with the system for vehicles from 2008 onwards
Peadar Tóibín
Written
Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of vehicles identified as having no current motor tax through electronic checks, including automatic number plate recognition and linked databases, in each year since such systems were introduced; the number of vehicle users identified
Michael Fitzmaurice
Written
Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 148 of 24 June 2026, given motor tax is not a self-assessment tax, could the Minister address a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51996/26
Michael Fitzmaurice
Written
Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport if a situation could be reviewed (details supplied) given widespread overcharging of motor tax by the tax-collectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51997/26
Michael Fitzmaurice
Written
Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport to provide the details of documents required for motor tax to avail of the vintage vehicle rate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52000/26
Michael Fitzmaurice
Written
Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport the reason the owners of 10,784 vintage tractors are currently paying the full agricultural tractor motor tax rate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48087/26
Thomas Gould
Written
Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the reason motor tax revenue is no longer ringfenced for local authority funding. [47269/26
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether consideration has been given to temporary motor tax relief measures for persons relocated under domestic violence protection arrangements. [36395/26
Thomas Gould
Written
Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether there are any supports beyond the primary medical cert for payment of motor tax or insurance. [35530/26
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether any exemptions from motor tax exist, whether statutory or discretionary, for individuals subject to protection orders who rely on a vehicle for personal safety; and whether any such provisions have been considered. [33586/26
Ken O'Flynn
Written
Transport whether vehicles imported into the State as personal cars for individuals who hold a protection order are legally required to have motor tax or pay vehicle registration tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31550/26
Want to see how often it came up over time? Follow “motor tax” month by month.