Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2009
93 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has engaged Northern Ireland customs officials in discussion about vehicle registration; if so, if he will report on these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32155/09]
Amharc ar fhreagra94 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on work carried out by customs on vehicle registration taxation since the beginning of 2009; the amount of revenue that this has generated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32159/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together.
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to work carried out in relation to the enforcement of Vehicle Registration Tax Regulations.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Revenue enforcement officers, who are based at numerous locations around the country, carry out regular and on-going checks to identify and deal with breaches of the VRT Regulations. This applies particularly in relation to the permanent retention of unregistered vehicles in the State or in the possession of State residents. Co-ordinated national enforcement campaigns also take place in order to detect infringements in this area.
Between 1 January and 31 August 2009, Revenue enforcement officials challenged a total of 15,161 vehicles. Of these vehicles challenged, written warnings were issued in 1,832 cases, which resulted in the collection of €2,539,194 in VRT and a further 1,433 vehicles were seized for breaches of VRT legislation. Court convictions have been obtained in 10 cases with fines totalling €20,162 imposed. Several other cases are due before the Courts or are under consideration for proceedings. The above figures include the results of a VRT blitz conducted during March and April this year in which 3,256 vehicles were challenged that resulted in the collection of €548,000 in VRT.
I am also informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Revenue officers regularly conduct informal discussions with Northern Ireland customs officials on vehicle registration matters. While no formal forum exists, discussions on vehicle registration matters are normally specific enquiries in relation to individual vehicles which have been presented for registration, or in relation to specific investigation being conducted, usually involving multiple vehicles, associated with cross border VAT fraud.
