2008 PRESS RELEASES & STATEMENTS
How to Tax Your Uninsured Car
11th March 2008(Press Release)
Lisbon Treaty - Europe has made us what we are
10th June 2008 (Press Release)
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How to Tax Your Uninsured Car
11th March 2008 - IS IT A SCAM? NOT AT ALL - THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT WILL DO IT FOR YOU. IN FACT, THE STATE IS FACILITATING THE REGISTRATION OF UNINSURED DRIVERS AND CARS. IS THIS NOT A MONSTROUS SCANDAL?
READ ON.......
You'll be aware of all the effort we expend chasing down car drivers a mile or two over the limit or with dirty number plates. You will also have heard of the almost forgotten speed cameras. The debate on reducing driver alcohol levels is raging. And because we are all devastated by the deaths on the roads, Ministers, road safety types and motoring organisations continue to point out improvement we need to make on our roads.
Another thing is the scandal of uninsured drivers. Various factors are blamed for that, boy racers, premium costs and favorite targets of some politicians are foreign nationals. But the truth about uninsured vehicles is a lot more unpalatable.
More than a year ago I brought to the attention of the authorities that it appeared possible to tax an uninsured car through the official Motor Tax ONLINE service provided by the Department of the Environment and the Local Government. I was given to understand that there was a minor problem which was being corrected.
Unfortunately it has not. Last week I decided to test it. I renewed motor tax online in the course of which a number of references have to be inputted. These include:
The car registration details which might have been issued from more than 30 Motor Tax Offices around the State are scrupulously checked and must be correct.
The credit card details which might have issued from a million different outlets around the globe are assiduously verified and if a digit, comma or date doesnˇ¦t check out, are rejected.
Believe it or not the only one of these not checked and verified is the insurance requirement.
I found this to be incredible so instead of inputting the correct insurance company and policy number I selected a different company with which I had no connection and made up a policy number.
For the record it was 0802WM2349876. A completely meaningless number. I waited for it to be rejected. It wasnˇ¦t.
They took the money and promised me the tax disc within days. I thought they will discover the false details prior to issuing the disk. Not at all. The pristine and perfect road tax disc arrived yesterday.
I have discussed this with the insurance companies. They are aware and are appalled with the situation. They have offered to participate in a central sharing of data but the Department will not move on it.
THE END RESULT IS THAT THE STATE IS FACILITATING THE REGISTRATION OF UNINSURED DRIVERS AND CARS.
IS THIS NOT A MONSTROUS SCANDAL?
Back to top of page.
Lisbon Treaty - Europe has made us what we are
10/06/2008 - YES to LISBON is logical for Irish Trade Unionists
Endorsing the LISBON TREATY - Urging Trade Unionists, Educationalists and Gaeilgeoiri to VOTE YES
As a Trade Unionist, An Educationalist, A Public Representative and a Gaeilgeoir I see the Treaty as further delivery of many of the hopes and aspirations for which Educationalists, Trade Unionists and Republicans have struggled for many, many decades Lisbon is the crucial step in balancing the Common Market of Business with Rights and Protections for ordinary Citizens, Workers and Minorities
Among other things, This Treaty
1 Confirms the position of Education in European policies
2 Protects the Workers and Citizens of Europe by enshrining the Charter of Rights in European Legislation
3 Enhances National Culture and Languages and reaffirms the status of Gaeilge as a language of Europe and
4 Creates a more Transparent and Democratic Europe
For Trade Unionists in particular the Lisbon Treaty with the Charter of Rights provides the foundation for further advances in Workers Rights especially in the area of Free Collective Bargaining
All the progressive Labour legislation which today protects Irish Workers had its genesis in European policy or Directives. European influence has taken Irish Labour Law out of the Dark Ages.
Lisbon provides further such opportunities.
EUROPE HAS MADE US WHAT WE ARE
Back to top of page.
How to Tax Your Uninsured Car
11th March 2008(Press Release)
Lisbon Treaty - Europe has made us what we are
10th June 2008 (Press Release)
Back to top of page.
How to Tax Your Uninsured Car
11th March 2008 - IS IT A SCAM? NOT AT ALL - THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT WILL DO IT FOR YOU. IN FACT, THE STATE IS FACILITATING THE REGISTRATION OF UNINSURED DRIVERS AND CARS. IS THIS NOT A MONSTROUS SCANDAL?
READ ON.......
You'll be aware of all the effort we expend chasing down car drivers a mile or two over the limit or with dirty number plates. You will also have heard of the almost forgotten speed cameras. The debate on reducing driver alcohol levels is raging. And because we are all devastated by the deaths on the roads, Ministers, road safety types and motoring organisations continue to point out improvement we need to make on our roads.
Another thing is the scandal of uninsured drivers. Various factors are blamed for that, boy racers, premium costs and favorite targets of some politicians are foreign nationals. But the truth about uninsured vehicles is a lot more unpalatable.
More than a year ago I brought to the attention of the authorities that it appeared possible to tax an uninsured car through the official Motor Tax ONLINE service provided by the Department of the Environment and the Local Government. I was given to understand that there was a minor problem which was being corrected.
Unfortunately it has not. Last week I decided to test it. I renewed motor tax online in the course of which a number of references have to be inputted. These include:
- The car registration number
- Insurance policy details
- Owner's details
- Credit card name, number and expiry date
The car registration details which might have been issued from more than 30 Motor Tax Offices around the State are scrupulously checked and must be correct.
The credit card details which might have issued from a million different outlets around the globe are assiduously verified and if a digit, comma or date doesnˇ¦t check out, are rejected.
Believe it or not the only one of these not checked and verified is the insurance requirement.
I found this to be incredible so instead of inputting the correct insurance company and policy number I selected a different company with which I had no connection and made up a policy number.
For the record it was 0802WM2349876. A completely meaningless number. I waited for it to be rejected. It wasnˇ¦t.
They took the money and promised me the tax disc within days. I thought they will discover the false details prior to issuing the disk. Not at all. The pristine and perfect road tax disc arrived yesterday.
I have discussed this with the insurance companies. They are aware and are appalled with the situation. They have offered to participate in a central sharing of data but the Department will not move on it.
THE END RESULT IS THAT THE STATE IS FACILITATING THE REGISTRATION OF UNINSURED DRIVERS AND CARS.
IS THIS NOT A MONSTROUS SCANDAL?
Back to top of page.
Lisbon Treaty - Europe has made us what we are
10/06/2008 - YES to LISBON is logical for Irish Trade Unionists
Endorsing the LISBON TREATY - Urging Trade Unionists, Educationalists and Gaeilgeoiri to VOTE YES
As a Trade Unionist, An Educationalist, A Public Representative and a Gaeilgeoir I see the Treaty as further delivery of many of the hopes and aspirations for which Educationalists, Trade Unionists and Republicans have struggled for many, many decades Lisbon is the crucial step in balancing the Common Market of Business with Rights and Protections for ordinary Citizens, Workers and Minorities
Among other things, This Treaty
1 Confirms the position of Education in European policies
2 Protects the Workers and Citizens of Europe by enshrining the Charter of Rights in European Legislation
3 Enhances National Culture and Languages and reaffirms the status of Gaeilge as a language of Europe and
4 Creates a more Transparent and Democratic Europe
For Trade Unionists in particular the Lisbon Treaty with the Charter of Rights provides the foundation for further advances in Workers Rights especially in the area of Free Collective Bargaining
All the progressive Labour legislation which today protects Irish Workers had its genesis in European policy or Directives. European influence has taken Irish Labour Law out of the Dark Ages.
Lisbon provides further such opportunities.
EUROPE HAS MADE US WHAT WE ARE
Back to top of page.