Vol. 463 No. 6
108 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Finance the total number of pre-owned motor vehicles that were imported to Ireland in 1995: the impact, if any, these imports have had on the motor industry in Ireland: and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6979/96]
According to vehicle registrations statistics, 62,057 pre-owned motor vehicles were imported into Ireland in 1995, of which 44,591 were cars.
As to the impact of these pre-owned imports on the motor industry, I would point out such imports are actually part of the motor industry, at least to the extent that they are brought into Ireland by motor dealers; 1995 was a buoyant year for the Irish motor industry. Pre-owned car registrations rose by 8.1 per cent in 1995; the rise in new car registrations was broadly similar, at 8.5 per cent, with 87,204 units being registered. The number of new car registrations in 1995 was therefore almost double that of pre-owned car registrations. The introduction from 1 July 1995 of the £1,000 car scrappage scheme was associated with a significant number of new car sales last year, and was widely welcomed by the motor industry and by the motoring public.
