UUP Environment spokesperson, Danny Kinahan MLA spoke today during an Assembly debate on Car Tax Renewal.
The South Antrim Assembly Member said;
“Vehicle licensing in Northern Ireland are one of the few powers that has been caught up in the blur of devolution. Whilst in theory it is an excepted matter, under the guidance of the Secretary of State for Transport inLondon, the service is provided by the Driver and Vehicle Agency inNorthern Ireland.
Given the semi-autonomous nature of vehicle licensing here, it was unsurprising that separate IT systems appeared, and unfortunately this has led to disparities in the services available to Northern Ireland drivers when it comes to taxing vehicles – particularly in relation to online and telephone facilities.
The fact that we are standing here today discussing the matter, even though it has long known to have been issue, demonstrates what happens when there isn’t an effective working relationship between mutually connected bodies.
The Ulster Unionist Party strongly believes that there is a simple and straightforward resolution to this problem – full integration of the IT system inNorthern Irelandwith the one in use across the water. Surely, given the technology available, this couldn’t be that difficult?
I welcome the fact that there has been some notional work towards this over recent years, but with the DVLA’s decision to suspend the integration project in 2009, it would appear that the momentum behind it has stalled. I am sure the Department is awaiting the findings of the feasibility report currently taking place – but surely the need for a fully integrated system is obvious. I would appreciate it if the Minister could detail what he feels are the main stumbling blocks to the total integration of the two systems.
Not only are Northern Irelanddrivers being severely disadvantaged by not able to renew their tax discs online, but the Minister admits as much himself that there is only a token provision of telephone services. In the 21st century why on earth can’t the DVLA trust enough people to phone up and renew their tax over the phone. Indeed the telephone number itself is almost a state secret with almost no public advertising of what it is. Many people who renew their tax over the phone are only able to do so by keeping the number saved from one year to the next.
Another aspect of car tax renewal which causes many people here undue stress and anxiety is the need to prove that they have valid MoT and insurance documents, and this can usually only be done by having them to hand. Whilst the rational behind the need to be in possession of these documents is easily understood, the way in which it is incorporated into the renewal of tax discs makes what should be a straightforward procedure, convoluted and drawn out.
Why, when across the water the DVLA has direct access to insurance companies’ databases, are customers inNorthern Irelandstill forced to carry paper copies of their documents? This is just another example of the DVLA providing one level of service forGreat Britainand another forNorthern Ireland.
Mr Speaker the problem is obvious. The solution is obvious. And now I call upon the Minister to give a guarantee that he will find a resolution to it.