6,000 back Facebook fight to end Irish car registration tax

A campaign on Facebook to scrap the Republic’s Vehicle Registration Tax has attracted nearly 6,000 supporters since it was launched in response to a government crackdown.

The campaign was set up after UK and Northern Irish-registered cars in Donegal around the Inishowen peninsula were targeted in a customs clean-up.

Customs seized 42 cars and 68 drivers were given written warnings.

Inishowen man Ryan Stewart set up the Facebook page to let people express their frustration at how they were treated. But it has since turned into a fully blown campaign with cross-party support in Donegal.

Mr Stewart says he had received support within the county from Sinn Fein, Labour and Fine Gael representatives.

Those supporting the campaign maintain that VRT is an illegal tax under the Treaty of Rome and that its imposition contravenes the principals of free trade within the EU.

Donegal county councillor Padraig Mac Lochlainn said: “The Irish government pulled a sleight of hand to introduce VRT and people are paying thousands for a number plate.”

He added that VRT is paid in the state that cars are first registered in but then car owners are forced to pay again if they bring a car into the Republic.

He said: “There has always been latent anger about this. The government has argued they can't afford to give it up. In 2007, it was worth €1.4bn in VRT but in 2009 that collapsed to €375m.

“They had the opportunity to do something about it, to find other ways to raise revenue but they sent in the Customs officers who have acted in a draconian fashion using strong-arm tactics.”

Mr Stewart said: “There has been unbelievable support for the campaign. I set it up so people could have a rant and it has taken on a life of its own.”

“There really is a ground swell of support. Nearly 6,000 in nine days is incredible.”

Mr Stewart said that Customs claimed to have taken €500,000 in revenue in Donegal while a similar operation in Monaghan and Louth netted only €8,000.

He said: “It is a real bone of contention. People in Donegal are paid half the national wage that the rest of the country gets and Customs are treating the county like a cash cow.”

Mr Stewart claimed that abolishing VRT would benefit everybody in the Republic.

A spokeswoman for the Irish Revenue said: “Revenue is satisfied that VRT is not in contravention of EU law. Section 132 of the Finance Act 1992 permits the Revenue Commissioners to charge VRT on the registration of vehicles in the State.”

Belfast Telegraph