David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 189: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the efforts his Department is making to ensure that all cars brought into the country by foreign nationals for use here are registered, taxed and insured here in line with legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2575/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that as a general rule all vehicles imported permanently into the State must register for VRT purposes within seven days of arrival. This rule applies equally to vehicles imported by EU and non EU persons.

However, Section 135 (a) of the Finance Act 1992 permits a European or other foreign registered vehicle which is temporarily brought into the State by a person established outside the State to be exempted from the requirement to register for vehicle registration tax purposes for a period normally not exceeding 12 months from the date upon which the vehicle concerned was brought into the State.

These provisions are in line with Article 39 of the EU Treaty which provides for the free movement of people within the EU. The Deputy may wish to note that a reciprocal arrangement is also in place for our own State residents in fellow Member States.

With regard to enforcement activity in the State, Revenue mobile units and the Garda Siochana continue to monitor both Irish and foreign registered vehicles on our roads.

In this regard in 2007, Revenue mobile units challenged 15,417 vehicles in the State. Of these, 10,325 satisfied Revenue officials that the registration status was in order at that particular time. 2,313 vehicles were registered for VRT purposes as a direct consequence of these investigations. In the remaining cases, prosecutions, seizures, granting of temporary exemptions/transfers of residence, vehicle exportations or scrappages took place on foot of Revenue enforcement activity.

The Deputy may also wish to note that there is no legislative requirement to have insurance prior to registering a vehicle. However, in accordance with Section 56 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended, no mechanically propelled vehicle may be used in a public place without motor insurance to cover the cost of compensation for injury to persons or property.