asked the Minister for the Environment the number of private motor vehicles in excess of 16 horsepower registered and taxed in each year since 1976.

As the answer is in the form of a tabular statement I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report. Following is the statement:—

Note:—Prior to 1 March 1976, all private motor vehicles exceeding 15 h.p. were taxed at the same rate. At 30 September 1976, the number of such vehicles was 26,670.