Stealth taxes to rise

Rising car sales, road tolls, Vehicle Registration Tax, VAT, road tax and fuel have contributed to an extra Eur600 million been paid to the Government.

The Exchequer has been handed Eur4.6 billion over the last 12 months, an increase of 15 per cent.
The Society of Irish Motorist Industry (SIMI) are currently placing together a report to highlight the fact.

If trends experienced in the first half of 2005 continue, it is estimated that motorists costs will increase by a further 5.8 per cent in 2005.
Motorists have been left reeling by the cost of fuel over the last few months and any other price increase will hit badly.