Deputy Charlie McConalogue says drivers are becoming increasingly frustrated by rising motor taxes at a time when the necessary investment is not being made in local roads and key regional road projects.
New figures supplied to Fianna Fáil reveal a 10% tax hike for motorists between 2015 and 2016 at a time when insurance costs are through the roof.
Deputy McConalogue commented, “Motorists here in Donegal are being hit on all sides by this government. Over the past number of years we’ve seen increases in the excise duty on petrol and diesel, a rise in vehicle registration tax and a hike in motor tax. Add to that the fact that this Government has failed to deal effectively with soaring motor insurance costs. The total tax bill now stands at just under €4.5bn – an increase of 10% on 2015.
“Motorists are paying through the nose but getting very little in return. These taxes are designed to fund public services, most notably, transport infrastructure but people living in Donegal see very little evidence of that. Road maintenance across the county is underfunded while the government has also failed to reinstate the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) which is essential for the upkeep of many small roads that have traditionally depended on the scheme.”
He added that a number of key infrastructural projects for the county also await investment with the Letterkenny to Lifford road, Bonagee link project in Letterkenny and the Ballybofey/Stranorlar by-pass all key projects for the development of our county which await investment.
And he added “Ultimately this failure to invest is resulting in increased congestion, longer journey times, reduced road safety and a loss of economic activity.
“Our tax system needs to be fairer, so that people can see the infrastructure that their money is being spent on. Unfortunately, that is not the case in Donegal. We need assurances from the Government that the taxes which are being collected are being reinvested back into infrastructure and services to ensure and improved road network and additional safety measures. This is particularly important in the North West region, which has been neglected by this and the last Government for years”.
