Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will estimate the cost of restructuring stamp duty for non first time residential buyers where there is 0% for transactions of up to €100,000, 5% on the next €350,000 and 9% on the balance; the estimated cost for the same buyers if 0% for transactions of up to €125,000, 7% on the next €875,000 and 9% on the balance; and if he will calculate this on the basis of transaction and price levels for both 2006 and 2007. [35844/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It is presumed the Deputy is referring to the costs relative to the old residential stamp duty rules which were in place prior to Budget 2008. These costs are a function of the actual and estimated number of transactions and the price levels at which these transactions take place, and are therefore sensitive to cyclical changes in the housing market.

The estimated cost of restructuring stamp duty for only non-first time residential buyers where there is 0% for transactions of up to €100,000, 5% on the next €350,000 and 9% on the balance would be of the order of €400m and €320m on the basis of transactions in 2006 and 2007, respectively.

The estimated cost of restructuring stamp duty for only non-first time residential buyers where there is 0% for transactions of up to €125,000, 7% on the next €875,000 and 9% on the balance would be of the order of €285m and €240m on the basis of transactions in 2006 and 2007, respectively.

The Deputy should note that the costs of the Stamp Duty changes introduced in Budget 2008 took into account an assumption that there will be lower levels of activity in the housing market next year as compared to the exceptional levels of activity that have been evident in more recent years.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 139: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of cars were imported into Ireland in 2005, 2006 and 2007; the level of under-declared VRT on imported cars in 2005, 2006 and 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35860/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the available information in respect of the number of cars (new and used) imported into Ireland for the years 2005, 2006 and the period 1 January to 30 November 2007 is as follows:

I am also advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the amount of Vehicle Registration Tax which might be under-declared on cars imported to the State between 2005 and 2007 is fully quantifiable only by reference to the detection of the particular offence in each and every case. Revenue enforcement officers, who are based at numerous locations around the country, carry out regular and ongoing checks to identify and deal with breaches of VRT legislation involving under-declarations. Their officers engage regularly in operations, including multi agency operations, which are targeted at high-risk areas of VRT evasion. These operations can result in warning notices being issued to individuals who appear to have been late in registering their vehicles, or in seizure of the vehicles where significant and intended under-declaration of VRT is encountered. In these latter cases the vehicle may be returned on payment of the under-declared VRT together with a penalty, or in some instances prosecution can result.

As a result of operations in 2005, 1,195 warning notices were issued and this resulted in payments of VRT totalling €3,380,627. In addition, 927 vehicles were seized during 2005 and resulted in payments of VRT and penalties totalling €3,866,375. In 2006, 1,955 warning notices were issued which resulted in €5,309,272 in VRT being collected. In addition 999 vehicles were seized during 2006 with €1,844,609 in VRT and penalties being recovered. In 2007 to date, 1,944 warning notices were issued and resulted in VRT payments of €5,937,497. In addition 1,016 vehicles were seized resulting in €1,223,726 in VRT and penalties being paid. In a special operation in the last few days, 103 vehicles were seized and it is estimated that the revenue at risk is around €500,000. In 2005 there were 23 convictions for VRT related offences. In 2006 there were 8 convictions and 16 convictions in 2007.