Vol. 422 No. 4
20 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline (1) the amount of revenue generated by way of motor vehicle excise duties in each year since 1985, (2) his projections for revenue from this source in each of the next five years and (3) his proposals, if any, to alter such duties within the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The yield from excise duty on motor vehicles for each year since 1985 is set out in the tabular statement which I propose to circulate along with the reply. As for part (2) of the Deputy's question the excise receipts from this source are estimated at £173 million for 1992. As the Deputy may be aware, the excise duty on motor vehicles will be replaced from 1 January next by a first registration charge aimed to maintain revenue from motor vehicle taxation at an equivalent level, thus leaving vehicle prices broadly unaffected. As for estimates of the yield from this new tax for the five years requested, the methodology used in the formulation of medium-term forecasts for the evolution of overall public finances, as prepared by my Department, does not allow for the level of dis-aggregation which would be required to supply the information.
In the short term, I have no further plans for motor vehicle taxation. As always, however, all taxes are reviewed on an ongoing basis in the light of budgetary circumstances and the new Vehicle Registration Tax will be treated no differently.
Excise duty receipts since 1985 are as follows:
Motor Vehicle Excise Duty Receipts
|
Year |
Net Receipts |
|
£m |
|
|
1985 |
153.1 |
|
1986 |
152.2 |
|
1987 |
140.4 |
|
1988 |
178.3 |
|
1989 |
237.9 |
|
1990 |
260.9 |
|
1991 |
208.6 |
