Minister for Transport Martin Cullen has reminded drivers from other EU states who come to live and work in the Republic that they must re-register their vehicles here.
Mr Cullen said he wanted to clarify that while amendments to the laws covering foreign-registered vehicles were planned, under existing legislation foreign nationals resident and working here must immediately register their vehicles with the Revenue Commissioners.
A vehicle brought into Ireland from abroad must be registered and Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) paid by the end of the next working day following its arrival in the State, Mr Cullen explained.
While the Minister did not wish his comments to be taken as a reference to any particular case, they come as the Garda warned the number of foreign-registered cars involved in fatal accidents is rising.
From January 1st this year to yesterday morning, 150 people died as a result of crashes on the Republic's roads - 14 of them since the start of May. The figure is 20 more than the similar period in 2005.
The increase in roads deaths has prompted Mr Cullen to announce a number of reforms to be included in two road safety Bills due to become law later this year.
One of the Bills will establish the proposed Road Safety Authority, while the second Bill will, among other measures, provide for the banning of hand-held mobile phones used while driving, and impounding of foreign-registered vehicles which breach road traffic regulations.
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