Minister Joe McHugh
Donegal Hauliers are to benefit from a €4,000 drop in commercial motor tax from this week.
Donegal Fine Gael Minister Joe McHugh has said that changes to commercial motor tax will make a major difference for road hauliers in Donegal.
“Budget 2016 announced that the number of rates of commercial motor tax will be reduced from 20 to 5 and will now range in cost from €90 to €900 per year, down from a maximum cost of €5,195. These changes come into effect from today and will save many hauliers over €4,000 per year. This is an interim measure pending the replacement of the current commercial motor tax regime with a fairer basis for calculating commercial motor tax,” McHugh told Donegal Daily.
“Donegal has a significant amount of hauliers who will benefit significantly from the reduction in commercial motor tax. While this change is extremely positive to Irish hauliers across the country, it is particularly important for Donegal and in the North West region. With the absence of a freight rail, we are hugely reliant on hauliers, who have to compete with businesses in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK where motor tax up until now has been much lower.
“The standard of the service provided by hauliers in the North West is of the highest, and I am confident these measures will lower the costs of goods and services, and will provide a considerable boost to the local economy.
“Transportation costs are a major issue for every business in Ireland. These changes will help keep Ireland competitive and directly benefit over 28,500 commercial vehicles nationally and many in Co Donegal.
“The top priority this year is to keep the recovery going in all parts of the country, while providing relief and better services. Many businesses rely on transport to provide a service and I am confident that changes to commercial motor tax will be very much welcomed.”
