Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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178. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps being taken, outside of NCT checks, to address the proliferation of illegal vehicle registration plates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36689/25]

Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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179. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of fines issued by the Revenue Commissioners for failure to comply with vehicle registration plate regulations in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36690/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together.

The Finance Act 1992, as amended, provides for the registration of vehicles, the charging of vehicle registration tax (VRT) and the assignment of a unique identification mark to each vehicle upon registration. The Vehicle Registration and Taxation Regulations, 1992 (as amended), set out the detailed requirements for the format of vehicle registration plates. Certain characteristics of Irish plates are aligned with other countries across the EU by Council Regulation (EC) 2411/98 and by the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.

It is an offence to display a false registration number, the wrong registration number on a vehicle, or the registration plate in an incorrect format. Revenue and An Garda Síochána actively collaborate to tackle vehicle registration offences, which include regular engagement on multiagency checkpoints. These joint efforts aim to ensure compliance with vehicle registration legislation and deter illegal activities.

In line with the Road Traffic Act 2010 (Part 3) (Fixed Charge Offences) Regulations 2024, a member of An Garda Síochána is fully empowered to issue a fixed charge (FCN) of €60 to a driver who fails to comply with number plate requirements. The Minister for Justice may be in a position to provide the Deputy with details of Garda activity in this area.

Provisions introduced by the Department of Transport under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 extend number plate enforcement powers, including the issuing of FCNs, to officers of the Revenue Commissioners. These measures will be commenced as soon as the necessary operational preparations have been completed by Revenue in conjunction with other agencies, and work is ongoing in that regard. In advance of the completion of this work, Revenue has not had a legal basis on which to issue FCNs for failure to comply with vehicle registration plate regulations.