I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together.
My Department does not possess any official vehicles and does not hold information in relation to official vehicles in the possession of agencies under its aegis.
Information in relation to any vehicles which were in my Department’s possession prior to mid-2011, by virtue of the then Department’s heritage responsibilities, is being provided by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
The following amended reply was received from the Department on 10 April 2014.
Met Éireann operates seven official vehicles which do not hold an insurance policy. Claims arising from accidents involving those vehicles are processed through and paid by the State Claims Agency, which is then reimbursed by Met Éireann. In the past five years there has been one claim, which occurred in 2013, and amounted to €1,310.65 in total costs.
Met Éireann claims an exemption from motor tax in respect of all these vehicles with appropriate tax discs issued by the relevant local authority.