Government urged to consider sales tax for local authority projects

A SALES tax to finance specific local authority projects should be considered by the Government, Cork Chamber of Commerce president John Cashell suggested last night.

Also speaking last night, Chamber guest of honour, Martin Leach, CEO and president of Ford Europe, branded Ireland's car taxation regime as outmoded, saying it was not helping the environment.

Delivering his presidential address to the 848 guests at the €100 a plate function, Mr Cashell said that nationally business contributed 23% of local authorities' gross expenditure in 2002.