Enda Kenny
Question:12 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the reason a vehicle was seized from a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the grounds on which the vehicle was seized; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Car Seizure.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the car in question was seized by officers of Customs and Excise on 12 April 1994 for a breach of the Finance Act, 1992. The Act, inter alia, makes it an offence for any person to be in possession of a vehicle that is not registered in the State unless the person is authorised by the Commissioners or is normally resident outside the State. Breaches of this provision renders the person in charge of the vehicle liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of £1,000. In addition, the vehicle is liable to seizure and forfeiture.
The officers of Customs and Excise who stopped the vehicle being driven by the person concerned established that it was owned by her son who is normally resident in Scotland. It was also established that one year previously she was encountered by officers of Customs and Excise driving a different non-State registered car. On that occasion she was given an official warning that she was committing an offence but, beyond that, no further action was taken and she was allowed to proceed. On this occasion the car was seized. She agreed to pay a compromise sum of £200 to gain release of the car in lieu of legal proceedings.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they are satisfied that on the date the car was seized the person concerned was aware both of her obligations and responsibilities under the law and of the consequences of being found in breach of the law. Consequently, the Commissioners are satisfied that the correct procedures were followed and that the seizure of the car and the sum paid for the release of the car were appropriate in the circumstances.