Uninsured drivers using internet for motor tax

Senator Joe O'Toole has told the Committee on Enterprise and Small Business that uninsured motorists are using the internet to get motor tax online.

Drivers are filling in false insurance policy numbers when applying to renew their tax discs online. Those paying at the motor tax office have to physically produce insurance documents. However those who buy over the internet can put in a false insurance number and there is no check.

Committee Chairman Donie Cassidy has asked for satellite monitors to ensure safety.
Dick O'Driscoll of Hibernian General Insurance asked the Government to make connections between databases. He asked that information be shared to stop the practice. He said that the company had vehicle files, driver files, tax files and insurance files which did not talk to each other.

John O'Neill, CEO of AXA Insurance highlighted the need for extra gardai to deal with the problem. He said that this was important in order to make sure that penalty points were properly implemented. He warned that road deaths could rise to 500 if this was not done.