Vol. 525 No. 1
41 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a reduction in VRT on cars conforming with the latest EU emission levels in order to encourage more people to purchase new cars and to reduce the importation of older cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23564/00]
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, it is not customary for the Minister for Finance to give advance notice of what measures, if any, will be taken in the budget and it is not my intention to break with this tradition.
I am a little surprised that the Deputy feels there is a budgetary need to encourage the sales of cars given the phenomenal growth in such sales this year. The figure for net registrations to end September 2000 of new cars is 217,237 as opposed to a total of 172,456 in 1999. The Deputy will also be pleased to learn that the net registrations for used imported cars is falling – 15,244 to end September 2000 as opposed to a total of 30,550 in 1999.
