Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2011
17 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the introduction of two licensing periods in one year to incentivise car sales beyond the traditional year sales period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31760/11]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring to the registration of vehicles. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that some thought has been given to the question of having two registration periods in the one year. However, it is not clear if it would achieve its aim of spreading the sales of vehicles more evenly throughout the year. It may also distort the market of both new and second hand sales during the year of introduction and may deny vehicle owners of reasonable expectations of the future value of their vehicles. For these reasons, this proposal needs considerably further study and analysis before any change could even be considered.
Furthermore, any potential change to the system would involve significant costs for Revenue and other stakeholders. Legislation would need to be amended, forms and leaflets would need to be updated and an information campaign would have to be launched. Information and Communications Technology systems in Revenue and the Department of Transport would have to be amended, and it may be necessary to recalibrate the number plate recognition systems operated by An Garda Síochána, local authorities and toll operators.
For these reasons, I am not contemplating a change to the current registration system at present.
