Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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148. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the price of motor vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22113/17]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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There are a number of objectives of the Irish Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) system.

VRT is an important source of Revenue for the State.  It also seeks to reflect the negative externalities caused by using the vehicle in the State. These externalities are the costs to society and to the environment that, without the tax, would not otherwise be reflected in the price of the vehicle and for which the consumer would not otherwise have to pay.  In the case of motor vehicles, these externalities include environment externalities such as air pollution, which is why one of the bases for imposing VRT is the vehicle's carbon emissions.  Other externalities which VRT seeks to reflect, include the costs to society of providing and maintaining the road infrastructure, traffic control, relevant emergency services, and vehicle registration and licensing.  The funds raised through VRT go towards compensating the Irish State for these significant costs.