Michael Ring
Ceist:374 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Finance the number of cars impounded by the State in the years 1999-2000 and 2000-01; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21426/01]
Written Answers. - Impounded Vehicles.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of vehicles seized by them during the period referred to in the question is as follows:
|
Year |
Number |
|
1999 (to date) |
580 |
|
2000 (to date) |
405 |
|
2001 (to date) |
356 |
The seizures listed above were made in respect of a range of Revenue offences, for example, illegal conversions, use of unregistered vehicles by State residents and use of rebated gas oil.
I understand that the Deputy is particularly interested in the number of vehicles seized in cases where exemption from vehicle registration tax – VRT – under the transfer of residence provisions was refused. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that their records are not kept so as to allow a precise figure to be given of the number of vehicles seized for that reason alone. However, Revenue estimate that less than 0.5% of vehicle seizures arise from failed applications for transfer of residence relief from VRT. In practice, such cases are almost always settled through the appeal process either by (a) the registration of the vehicle without payment of VRT, in the case of a successful appeal, (b) the registration of the vehicle on payment of VRT where the appeal process proves unsuccessful or was not pursued in the first instance or (c) the removal of the vehicle from the State.