A DEPARTMENT of the Environment circular ordering a clampdown on the use of commercial vehicles for private purposes was not sent at the behest of the Minister, John Gormley, according to his spokesman
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The spokesman said Mr Gormley had not been aware the circular was being issued earlier this month. “It had not even been seen by the Minister’s office in advance of it being issued to motor taxation offices.”
He said the circular to local authorities was a response to official figures showing a rise in the number of vehicles switching from private motor tax classes to commercial vehicle classes.
He also insisted that it involved no change in the rules, as people who availed of cheaper road tax for commercial vehicles had always been required to sign a declaration at their local Garda stations that they would not use the vehicles “for social, domestic or pleasure purposes”.
The only change was a requirement for an applicant for a commercial licence to produce a Revenue registration identity number.
The spokesman said the circular was issued to reinforce the existing position in relation to goods vehicles, in the light of growing numbers of private cars being reclassified as goods vehicles, including 4X4 vehicles which are often expensive to tax.
Labour energy spokeswoman Liz McManus said she wondered if similar restrictions on using work-related vehicles for personal use was to apply to ministerial cars. “Somehow I doubt it,” she said. Sinn Féin environment spokesman Martin Ferris said the circular was simply a new way to take money from people.
Full article here: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2010/0825/1224277546297.html
