Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 658: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of vehicles on the roads estimated not to have road tax paid on them; the assessment he has made of the way this figure compares internationally; the steps he proposes to vastly reduce this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31019/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Motor tax compliance surveys are undertaken on a periodic basis and the information from the last survey in 2001 indicated an evasion level of 4.6%. This compares with an evasion level of 5% for the United Kingdom in 2006. Measures have been introduced by my Department to combat motor tax evasion, and other enforcement initiatives are being developed in conjunction with the Garda Síochána. The increase of some 8% in motor tax revenue to end October 2007 reflects a range of factors, including the impact of anti-evasion measures and increased payment levels in respect of motor tax arrears. Arrears payments increased by 12% to end October 2007 over the same period in 2006.

Consideration will be given, in consultation with other relevant authorities, to the question of holding a motor tax compliance survey next year.