asked the Minister for the Environment the number of citizens about whom information is retained on computer in his Department and if information so recorded is used by his Department for any other purpose.

There are details of vehicle ownership in respect of 1,670,279 vehicles recorded on computer by my Department's vehicle registration unit at Shannon. The number of citizens involved is not readily available as many citizens, public agencies and private firms own more than one vehicle.

Information so recorded is used by my Department in formulating policy relating to vehicle standards and to investment in roads. The information is also made available to other State agencies to ensure compliance with various statutory requirements.