Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Apr 1995

Vol. 451 No. 6

Written Answers. - Imported Motor Vehicles.

Ivor Callely

Question:

58 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Finance the total number of used motor vehicles imported into Ireland for each of the years 1990 to 1994; the countries from which the cars were imported; his views on whether consideration should be given to introducing incentives to prevent further escalation of such imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7049/95]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

The following table sets out the number of used Category A vehicles (mainly motor cars) imported into the State from 1990-94.

Year	Numbers
1990	22,429
1991	21,053
1992	17,631
1993	33,940
1994	41,245

Precise information is not available in respect of the countries of origin of these vehicles. However, the indications are that, in 1990-91, almost half of the vehicles in question were sourced in Japan. The market subsequently has declined in importance and the indications are that the bulk of used imports are now sourced in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

Our international obligations require that any measures, whether tax based or not, would have to apply equally to domestically sourced and imported vehicles, whether new or used.