Vol. 424 No. 5
155 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for the Environment the powers, if any, he proposes to invoke to end the widespread practice of vehicles purchased in November and December being registered the following year; the effectiveness of the registration campaign to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 1991, provide a clear legal framework for the allocation of registration numbers on the basis of the year of actual first use of the vehicle concerned. These regulations, together with comprehensive guidelines issued by my Department to licensing authorities, have assisted in reducing the number of unregistered vehicles being used in public places. On or after 1 January 1993, it will be lawful, under section 142 of the Finance Act, 1992, to impound unregistered vehicles.
