Gas-guzzlers only for those who need them

IT SEEMS I have displeased Peadar Gill (Letters, December 7) by suggesting that gas-guzzling cars should not be allowed to people who don’t need them as an alternative to taxing them heavily.

I never said anything about luxury cars. My own car is small and economical, but nevertheless top of the range of its type and I find it quite luxurious. I make no apology for this.

Neither did I use the term “cheaper car” at any time. When my family were young I needed a big car and drove one. Again I make no apology.

And I didn’t tell Mr Gill what to drive as such. My suggestion was made as an alternative to heavier taxation of such vehicles. After all, why should people pay more for more?

Of course, the same conditions must apply to us all.

I don’t need a fuel inefficient car, so it would be irresponsible of me to use one, thus consuming more of an increasingly scarce resource and possibly depriving others of something they need badly.

Incidentally, I don’t see anything unworkable about the idea. The smoking ban was ‘unworkable’ too, but it was made to work.

No one begrudges anyone the means to do anything they want, as far as I know, but I for one would begrudge waste and I find ostentation in all its forms rather silly.

One thing that I was not aware of, and I thank Mr Gill for pointing it out, is that the owners of luxury cars are really doing it all for us lesser beings by paying more tax to take the pressure off little me.

Well, that’s the best yet!

At the same time, Mr Gill did make a valid point about our public transport system being sadly lacking. I’m not sure about the flights, though.

I know sea travel would be more friendly to the environment, but people don’t have the time and we do need to get away from this dark and gloomy island at times.

Patrick Browne

Brugge

51 Ashleigh Park

Blackrock

Cork