Vol. 412 No. 5
75 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that cars for rental were available in this jurisdiction from Northern Ireland this year; if he gave permission for these imports; and the action he proposes to take to ensure that car rental firms in this country will not be at a commercial disadvantage again in 1992.
97 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Northern Ireland cars were available for hire to tourists in Dublin this year; if he issued licences to allow this; and if duties and VAT were paid on these vehicles.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 97 together.
The Revenue Commissioners have advised me that following investigations carried out by them evidence of the irregular use of Northern Ireland vehicles was uncovered. These irregularities involved the hiring to tourists, for use in the State, of Northern Ireland registered vehicles temporarily imported without payment of import charges. However, the irregular hirings appear to have been confined to the peak season and the number of vehicles involved is thought to have been relatively small.
I can assure the Deputy that I am not prepared to tolerate a situation in which the bulk of Irish car-rental companies would be put at a competitive disadvantage by the improper actions of two or three such companies. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that car rental companies are now fully aware of their obligations and of the serious view taken of the irregularities in question. The Revenue Commissioners have also advised me that control arrangements are being reviewed to prevent a similar situation arising in 1992.
