Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I have two further questions. One relates to a number of different issues, one of which is vehicle registration tax, VRT, and the diesel controversy surrounding Volkswagen, Audi and others. I understand there are issues in terms of who has jurisdiction over this matter. Indeed, this is occurring outside the State as well. However, there have been findings in the US to suggest that on a technical basis the cheating software and-or hardware installed in certain vehicles - I will declare an interest because I have one of them - is also limiting or suppressing the NO2 levels that are recorded and assessed in the United States, for instance, but which are not recorded or assessed in Europe or this jurisdiction. A US court has found that the effect of the software or hardware is that it is also suppressing CO2 emissions. I am sure Mr. Cody is aware that the same allegation has been made in documents here in Ireland and in a case in Mayo.

If that is the case, there is an impact on the assessment on the vehicle from the VRT perspective and on the local authority system from the perspective of motor tax. Are we examining this issue and are we assessing the technical side? Are we in contact with Volkswagen and Audi Ireland? Are we assessing whether the cheating software and hardware, where appropriate, has not broken any Irish law or EU regulation? Does Mr. Cody agree that the finding and the cases that are pending and in the public domain will have a profoundly negative effect on the diesel market and will have implications for the Revenue Commissioners in the collection of tax and VAT and all the rest of it as detailed in the report? Will Mr. Cody comment on that?