asked the Minister for the Environment the number of car tax offices in the country; their location and the number of staff operating within each of them and if it is his intention to increase the number of such offices in the larger cities in the country.

I propose to circulate in the Official Report a tabular statement listing the 29 motor taxation offices in the country and staff levels approved for each by my Department.

With the exception of Dublin, there are no proposals on hands to open additional offices in the larger cities. In the case of Dublin, the Department have approved in principle of the opening of a motor taxation sub-office on the south side of Dublin on a trial basis. Dublin Corporation are negotiating for the leasing of suitable premises.

The Department are reassessing the feasibility of involving post offices in motor tax renewals on a pilot basis in a number of areas. Apart from Dublin, the opening of further offices would not seem to be justified at present.

With particular reference to the negotiations regarding a sub-office, will the Minister not agree there is a dire need for the provision of such an office in the south Dublin area? Will he consider the provision of a sub-office either in the Dundrum shopping centre in the area of the Dundrum village in south Dublin or, alternatively, in Rathfarnham village or the Nutgrove shopping centre? What is the thinking of the Department on this matter? Will he indicate in relation to what area of south Dublin negotiations are taking place for the provision of a sub-office?

Dublin Corporation are at present investigating the location and leasing of a suitable premises for this sub-office. I understand that areas mentioned by the Deputy are being considered at this stage. I am not in a position to indicate to him firmly that those areas will be the chosen location, but these are areas being considered by Dublin Corporation and will come before me when a decision is made.

In a final supplementary, how soon does the Minister envisage such a sub-office will be open for business? In this context will he acknowledge that the current premises which operate in Dublin through Dublin Corporation are totally inadequate due to the absence of facilities for members of the public to queue properly and to the total absence of any public parking facilities for the motor taxation office in Dublin? This creates the non-sensical situation that if you attend the motor taxation office either to register the car or get a driving licence you are also guaranteed that you will get a parking ticket——

That is a very long question.

——and a fine added to the payments you have to make for the items you are properly seeking in that office.

As soon as Dublin Corporation indicate that they have found a suitable premises on the south side I will not delay giving sanction for that office. I am well aware of the problems in the Dublin area and we have endeavoured to make certain changes in the situation as at present to improve matters.