asked the Minister for Finance the total duty and tax on motor cars of 10 hp, 12 hp and 16 hp; and the road tax and average insurance cost on these vehicles.

The duty and tax, i.e. customs duty, excise duty and value-added tax, on motor cars are not chargeable by reference to horse power. It is not practicable, therefore, to give the information in the form sought. The amount of excise duty and customs duty payable varies according to the value of the motor car and the rate of customs duty varies also according to the country of origin of the vehicle. Value-added tax is effectively payable on motor cars at the rate of 25 per cent on the sale value at manufacturing level or at importation, plus 10 per cent on the price realised on a retail sale. The appropriate rates of duty are set out in the form of a tabular statement, which with the permission of the Ceann Chomhairle, I propose to include with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

The road tax payable on cars of 10 h.p., 12 h.p. and 16 h.p. is £50, £60 and £96 per year respectively

The approximate basic third party insurance rate for a 10 h.p. car is £61, for a 12 h.p. car is £63 and for a 16 h.p. is £71. I should, however, point out that the premium based on these rates will be influenced by the age and driving experience of the driver and the area of the country in which he resides.