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View Full Version : Give us poor motorists a break!


Chancer
18-04-2000, 12:25 PM
I see that the rise in the cost of petrol has driven (pardon the pun!) the monthly cost of running the average family car by £22. Prices have risen to dizzy heights by 26% in the last 12 months, a rise equivalent to nearly 15p per litre. The average price at the pumps is now 72.3p per litre. A combination of a weakening Euro against the dollar and a dramatic rise in international oil prices is the cause of the price hikes. However it is expected that pump prices will reduce in the next month or so due to crude oil prices falling back in recent weeks.

Of the retail price of 72.3p per litre, 42 pence is tax and the remaining 30.3p is the true price. The government made £1.25bn in taxes on petrol last year and look like scoring even more this year. What I’d like to know is how much of that £1.25bd is going back into our transportation infrastructure? A very small percentage I’d say. Also the price increases are having an adverse affect on our inflation too. Why doesn’t the government (i.e. Mr McGreedy) reduce the taxation on petrol? This would have a positive effect on inflation, and give the already outrageously taxed motorist a small but much needed break.

Astraman
18-04-2000, 02:00 PM
It would seem like the logical thing to do but in the budgets we've had over the last few years the goverment has nearly always increased taxation on motor fuel.I think there's no way that they'll reduce it,if anything they'll increase it although they can't even contemplate doing something like that till oil prices drop.

Phil
18-04-2000, 02:19 PM
Well everything else has been increased, so why stop at fuel prices.

When will it ever stop!!!

Thank God I'm changing my car to a smaller engine.

PaulKanters
18-04-2000, 06:13 PM
Don't forget that Ireland is still among the countries that have lowest prices for petrol in Europe.

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Paul Kanters
Nothing beats Classic Motoring! welcome.to/classiccarsireland (http://welcome.to/classiccarsireland)
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Tony
19-04-2000, 01:37 PM
Petrol may cost the motorist more in Europe (especially in the UK), but at least they have cheap cars/and or/ the choice to import cheaper cars for themselves without paying an illegal tariff (VRT). Everything motor related in Ireland today costs an arm and a leg, and I'm sure most motoring costs are way above the European average. eg cars, insurance, servicing, tyres etc. Is there some sort of consumer protection scheme/agency in Ireland that can tackle these issues? Or is this also run by white-collar government Civil Servants?

SpyCamera
20-04-2000, 12:36 PM
I have to say, its great for those who live in the north. They can come down buy a new car without paying any VRT. The sterling is stronger at the moment with helps increase the value of their money. Then when they buy the and bring it back up the north they get more money off again. So, while still with in Ireland they can say thousands on the price of a car. Then just to top it all off they can hop across the border and fill there cars up with cheaper petrol.

I made the mistake of having to fill my car up at the border. Guys with trailers came down to fill large drums full of petrol. A 5 minute stop lastest 30 mins. What a nightmare. Has anyone else have the same experience???