Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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179. To ask the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to deregistering a vehicle (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27517/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Revenue that vehicles are only de-registered and vehicle registration tax (VRT) repaid in very exceptional circumstances. This includes where the exceptional circumstances occur within seven working days of the date of registration and where the vehicle has not been licensed for use in a public place, i.e. road-tax has not been paid and, that the application for de-registration is received within twenty-one days of the date of registration.

In 2020 Revenue agreed, on an exceptional basis, to de-register the vehicle in question due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its unexpected impact on business. The company re-registered the vehicle in January 2021 despite the general awareness of the ongoing uncertainty and impact of the pandemic on business. It is not possible for Revenue to agree to de-register the vehicle for a second time as it is now road taxed and has mileage accumulated. The request to de-register the vehicle was also received more than 21 days after registration.

It is important that Revenue applies the relevant criteria to any request to de-register a vehicle thereby ensuring the integrity of the vehicle registration system is maintained and assurance is provided to purchasers that an unregistered vehicle is new.

Finally, the derogation referred to is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA).