Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The Department issued a circular to all local authorities on 10 August and this has caused major confusion in respect of the taxation of commercial vehicles. The tax could be €400 under the particular interpretation of one local authority, while it could be as high as €1,200 in the next local authority. The Minister has caused an enormous shambles with local government financing. Will he be issuing a new instruction to ensure that the wording of the declaration that has been insisted on will be changed so that the primary use of the vehicle is for business? There should be no doubt that if commercial vehicle owners drop off their kids at school or engage in personal business, they do not have to pay the additional taxation.

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