Exempt people-carriers from green penalty tax

I STRONGLY urge Environment Minister John Gormley to exclude family people-carriers (vehicles with six or more permanent seats) from the proposed increased motor tax rates.

People-carriers are now essential for even a moderately-sized family as each child, under law, must be properly seated and restrained in a seat that’s not in the front.

This efficient mode of transport for average/large-sized families (obviating the need for multiple car trips) is also of great benefit to the environment and our crowded roads.

Penalising these families would be most unfair at a time when family costs are increasing. I do not believe it is the intentional aim of the minister or Government to penalise families.

However, this will be the ultimate undesirable outcome of the blank imposition of motor tax increases without cognisance of permanent seating requirements.

The imposition of penal tax rates on people-carriers also does nothing to help reduce the family’s carbon footprint.

Séan F O’Leary

Kilkerran

Ballinspittle

Co Cork