asked the Minister for Finance the estimated total tax revenue lost to the State by the abolition of taxation on some private motor vehicles.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Motor Taxation.
16.
The cost to the Exchequer in the current year is estimated to be of the order of £27.5 million.
Does that sum relate to this current year?
Yes.
Would the Minister mind repeating the figure?
The figure is £27.5 million.
Does that figure take into account the number of vehicles actually registered, which shows a heavy increase over last year, thanks to our import boom?
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is an estimate because it covers the whole year. I believe that the estimate does take account of increased registration.
Is it fair to say to the Minister that the estimate is £7 million or £8 million higher than the estimate in the budget, which was £20 million, and that the increase is attributable to new licences.
I have to confess that I do not recall the exact estimate in the budget.
If the Minister is faced with a choice between taxing children's allowances or removing food subsidies and reimposing a tax on motor cars, will he choose to reimpose the tax on motor cars?
That is a separate question.
It arises out of this question.
I am calling question No. 17.