Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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253. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will introduce personalised number plates for cars, given that this is common in other European Union member states and in the United Kingdom (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4060/23]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Finance Act 1992, Revenue has responsibility for the assignment of vehicle identification marks (commonly known as registration numbers) and for prescribing the manner of their display (commonly known as registration plates) on vehicles in the State. This has been done in the “Vehicle Registration and Taxation Regulations 1992”, Statutory Instrument No. 318 of 1992, as amended.

The Regulations prescribe the format for a vehicle’s unique identification mark which, essentially, indicates the year and period when registered, the county, and the number assigned at registration, with these numbers generally being assigned in sequence. There is provision that, for a fee of €1,000, a vehicle owner may reserve a vehicle registration number, but this registration number must also comply with the prescribed format. The Regulations do not provide for personalised identification marks or registration plates, and the Irish system of prescribing identification marks does not lend itself to the introduction of such an arrangement.

The existing identification mark is integral to the operations of a number of agencies apart from Revenue, including An Garda Síochána, the Department of Transport, the Road Safety Authority, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. Any change to the existing specification could only be undertaken after an assessment of the impact of such changes, including in relation to the systems and other changes that would be required. The Deputy’s suggestion has been raised a number of times over the years, but the systems development required, including to registration plate recognition systems, would be likely to far outweigh the potential benefits to the Exchequer from the possibility of charging higher fees for personalised numbers.