Vol. 471 No. 2
146 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Justice the estimated number of untaxed and unlicensed vehicles on the road; her views on whether this represents a serious problem for the Garda; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20499/96]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a survey of motor vehicles was undertaken by the Garda Síochána earlier this year in order to estimate the extent to which vehicles are uninsured and are untaxed and to what extent the situation had changed since 1991 when a similar survey was carried out. The project was supported by the Minister for the Environment. The National Roads authority is at present analysing the results.
Similar surveys carried out in 1987 and 1991 indicated that the number of untaxed vehicles was between 10 per cent to 14 per cent and 10 per cent to 13 per cent respectively.
Statistics in relation to motor tax evasion offences are contained in the Garda Síochána annual reports copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
