Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43810/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that under the Finance Act 1992 they have responsibility for the legislation governing vehicle identification marks (registration plates) in the State. Section 131(6)(a) of that Act provides that the identifying mark (registration number) assigned to a vehicle, that has been registered in the State, must be displayed in the format prescribed by the Revenue Commissioners.

The format, dimensions and technical specifications of identification marks to be displayed on vehicles in the State are set out in Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 318/92 as amended by S.I. 432/99. These regulations and the requirements therein have been widely publicised by Revenue. The owner of a vehicle is responsible for ensuring that the vehicle registration plate conforms with the requirements specified in the regulations, and it is an offence under Section 139(1)(b) of the Finance Act 1992 to be in possession of a vehicle displaying a registration plate in a format other than as prescribed by law. The penalty for such an offence is €5,000 on summary conviction.

The Deputy may wish to note that Revenue mobile units and An Garda Síochána are actively engaged in the detection of vehicles displaying non-conforming registration plates. Furthermore, a vehicle displaying non-conforming registration plates will fail the National Car Test, which is regulated by the Road Safety Authority. There are no plans to impose further regulatory control in this area at this time.