Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

There Minister will be aware there is a serious problem in the motor trade. Fine Gael advocates that the emissions bands should be backdated to 2001 — the Minister had the information available for new and second hand cars — to allow people make informed decisions regarding emissions. We support the new regime. People should have a choice of purchasing based on emissions.

Is there any new initiative, particularly in the Border counties, that can be introduced to stop dealers going across the Border and coming back with a car having paid VRT in the other jurisdiction and making a few euro in terms of sustaining the trade? There is a big increase in the number of imported vehicles at the expense of new cars being sold in this jurisdiction.

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