Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of cars in total and types of cars classified by level of CO2 emissions currently on Irish roads; the number and types of commercial vehicles classified by CO2 emissions and HGVs currently on Irish roads; the level of CO2 emissions that are produced by motor and commercial vehicles each year in Ireland since 2002; the average number of foreign registered vehicles on Irish roads on a daily and weekly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3413/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The tabular statement below is compiled from non-authenticated CO2 emission data on the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) for currently taxed private cars registered as new since May 2004 when collection of CO2 data for such vehicles commenced. A total of 1,882,901 private cars were currently taxed at 31 December, 2007 and this statement covers 525,273 (28%) of that total. The data has been divided into CO2 categories reflecting the proposals to apply for VRT and motor tax purposes for cars registered on or after 1 July next. The CO2 data available relates to vehicles designated as Category 'A' within the meaning of section 130 of the Finance Act 1992 i.e. passenger car types. Equivalent data is not available for other categories including commercial vehicles which will not be affected by the proposed CO2 based VRT and motor tax charges.

Matters relating to the levels of CO2 emissions produced by motor vehicles are appropriate to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and agencies under his aegis.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that as a general rule, all vehicles imported permanently into the State must be registered for VRT purposes. However, section 135 of the Finance Act, 1992, and Regulations made thereunder, provide for a range of circumstances in which foreign-registered vehicles, brought temporarily into the State, are exempted from the registration requirement. Foreign residents working and studying here temporarily are permitted to use foreign-registered vehicles in the State, normally for a period not exceeding 12 months. The exemption also extends to include vehicles brought into the State by tourists or by other non-residents who are in the State on a casual basis e.g. UK and NI residents on business or shopping trips.

These provisions are required to be in conformity with Article 39 of the EU Treaty, which provides for the free movement of EU workers between member states, and a reciprocal arrangement also applies to Irish residents who bring their cars temporarily to other member states.

I am also advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there is no requirement for vehicles imported under the temporary exemption provisions to be presented to them to avail of the relief. Details of such vehicles are not captured or held in the registration system or passed to the NVDF and consequently data on the number of foreign registered vehicles in circulation is not available.