Sir, - It is interesting to notice the increase in Vehicle Registration Tax which Minister McCreevy has seen fit to impose on cars of over two-litre engine capacity in his recent Budget. Apparently this is designed as a "green" tax to deter the purchase of large, executive-style cars. Except, of course, that this increase does not take account of the fact that many diesel-engined cars, including most of the jeeps used by farmers, have large engines. These too will have hefty price increases.
Most interesting of all, though, will be whether the Minister will carry through on this "green" ideal and order a fleet of Volkswagen Polos and Ford Fiestas to replace the current batch of Ministerial carriages. Given that the Mercedes currently favoured by the Government faces a price rise of between £3,000 and £5,000 per vehicle, the Minister will not want to be seen to waste money, will he?
I am not a member of the motor industry and I do not drive a two-litre car. I just recognise a poorly thought out tax when I see it. - Yours, etc., Eamon Barrett,
Cheekpoint, Co Waterford.