Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 60: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of vehicles seized by customs and excise for the failure of paying vehicle registration tax for the year 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the amount received in penalties in order to have vehicles released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26474/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the law provides for the seizure of motor vehicles in respect of which Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) offences have been committed. Revenue enforcement officers, who are based at numerous locations around the country, carry out regular and on-going checks to identify and deal with breaches of vehicle registration tax legislation. The vast majority of vehicle seizures were as a result of State residents being detected using foreign registered vehicles over a period of time in the State. It is Revenue's policy to return seized vehicles to their owners on payment of a compromise penalty in lieu of prosecution, where appropriate. The majority of the seized vehicles were therefore returned to their owners on payment of compromise amounts. The vehicles were then either registered within the State on payment of VRT or removed permanently from the State.

The following table reflects the information requested by the Deputy.