Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
220. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has carried out research to examine the revenue raised by other states from the issuing of personalised number plates and vehicle registration plates; and if he has plans to introduce such a system here. [43054/21]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the specification for the identification mark (the “registration plate”) that must be displayed on all vehicles is contained in the Vehicle Registration and Taxation Regulations, 1992 (S.I. No. 318 of 1992). These Regulations do not permit personalised registration plates.
The existing identification mark is integral to the operations of a number of agencies apart from Revenue, including An Garda Síochána, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, the Road Safety Authority and the National Roads Authority. Any change to the existing specification could only be undertaken after an assessment of the impact of such changes, including in relation to the systems and other changes that would be required.
There is provision that the Commissioners may assign to a vehicle a registration number reserved by the owner on payment of a fee of €1,000, but this registration number must also comply with the format prescribed in S.I. No. 318 of 1992. Apart from this facility to reserve a registration number, there is no scope within the current legislation to provide for a personalised number scheme. This issue has been raised a number of times over the years but the systems development required, including to registration plate recognition systems, would be likely to far outweigh the potential benefits to the Exchequer.
I am advised by Revenue that there are no plans to undertake such a review.
