asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a statement regarding the operation of the Road Vehicles Licensing and Registration Regulations, 1982; and if he has received representations from the motor registration office of Dublin Corporation for a review of them, having regard to the fact that excessive hardship is being caused to very many people on the transfer of vehicles where they failed to have the documentation completed at time of sale and lodged with the motor registration office.
Written Answers. - Road Vehicle Regulations.
26.
I understand that the 1982 regulations relating to transfer of registered ownership of motor vehicles are generally operating fairly satisfactorily.
A number of local authorities informed my Department of the type of problem referred to by the Deputy, which arises in a minority of cases.
Following consultation with the Garda the Department recently introduced a new procedure to deal with such cases. Under this procedure, the registered owner can submit a sworn affidavit to the licensing authority to the effect that he is no longer the owner of the vehicle and explaining why he cannot comply with the legal formalities governing changes in registered ownership. On receipt of the affidavit, the computerised national vehicle file may be amended to show that the person concerned is no longer the actual owner of the vehicle. This will alert the Garda for the purposes of "on the spot fine" proceedings and the investigation of other offences involving the vehicle.