The Department of the Environment in Ireland has invested #7 million in a scheme to upgrade the motor tax and driving licence computer system.

All details will be held on a CA: Open Ingres database in Shannon. The details will be mirrored in Dublin, using CA-Replicator technology, in case of system in Shannon.

All tax and ownership details of any car in Ireland will be available instantaneously at any tax office, said a CA spokesperson. The system will be tried on pilot at an undisclosed local Motor Tax Office, before being rolled out to the other 29 offices.

Computer Associates is hoping that a successful implementation in Ireland will attract the attention of other antiquated tax offices elsewhere.