Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2026
35. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether his Department has considered any technological solutions to identify vehicles on the roads with illegal licence plates with a view of improving enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22759/26]
View answerThe Finance Act 1992 (as amended) provides for the registration of vehicles, the charging of vehicle registration tax 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.
Non-compliance with legislation related to vehicle registration plates is of cross-Departmental policy relevance, having regard to the role that correct vehicle identification has in the areas of road safety, law enforcement, and vehicle taxation.
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 includes regular engagement on multiagency checkpoints.
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 the technology used and Garda activity in this area.
The Deputy previously asked about the introduction of additional regulatory measures focussed on controlling the supply of vehicle registration plates and, as indicated in recent replies, work is being undertaken on an interdepartmental basis to examine the potential for strengthened measures and to develop and recommend suitable options to improve compliance with vehicle licence plate requirements in the State.
