Madam, – There is nothing whatsoever new about owners of commercial vehicles being required to confirm that they are not using them for private purposes. Recent attacks on the Green Party are without foundation.
When I bought a small van for private use in 2001, in place of a car of similar size, I was surprised to find that my insurers refused to accept that I would not make commercial use of it. My premium rose considerably.
I then made the same plea at the motor tax office, unaware that a lower rate applied to vans. I was given a form to declare that I would not make private use of my van. I explained that the official had misunderstood me – and that it would be for private use exclusively. He appeared not to hear me – and repeated that I should sign the form and have it witnessed by a Garda.
When the penny dropped, I was grateful for his kindly attitude. However, I did wonder whether a tax office employee would advise one how to cheat the tax system in any other country?
The real policy issue here is this: why should commercial vehicles, which generally cover more miles than private cars, pay less road tax? Let it be a legitimate deduction from their business taxes – but let them pay the same as the rest of us – if not more. Why should businesses be subsidised by private motorists? That would get rid of the absurdity of trying to rule out any private use of a commercial vehicle. The declaration is a useless fiction. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Several senior members of Fine Gael have criticised the Department of the Environment for implementing measures to ensure commercial motorists who are availing of reduced motor tax rates are using their vehicles for commercial purposes only. These measures were put in place after it became apparent to the department that large numbers of motorists were changing the tax classification of their vehicle from private to commercial.
Given our experience with “light touch” regulation to date, it is astounding that the largest political party in the State has such a devil-may-care attitude to tax evasion. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I very much hope that the enforcement of legislation to ensure motorists do not use commercial vehicles is applicable to Government Ministers. All elected representatives who are provided with a State car should be requested to sign an agreement to the effect that they will: 1. Never use the State car for transporting family members and pets. 2. Will only use the State car for official business and never for constituency duties such as attending funerals or GAA matches. 3. Will never abuse the State car and will use local taxis where possible. 4. Will never send a empty car to a summer school or an airport.
If they fail to use State cars in accordance with these terms then I suggest they pay an extra tax to cover the use of State cars for private use. – Yours, etc,