Import statistics

Sure, there are a lot of serious problems in this country at the moment and it seems that the only thing that varies is the depth of sh1* that we are in.  There is also an awful lot of crap being talked as well (in general, in the media, etc.).  There is also a lot of anger, but a lot of the basis for the anger, in the media, is ill-informed, naive and giving rise to mass hysteria.

We can either huddle together and stoke up the anger about the level of crap we find ourselves in (either personally or collectively) or we can get over ourselves and try to climb out of the crap.  That requires realism and will require blood, sweat and tears by many.  Anger will not change the fact that taxes will need to rise, living standards are going to fall, services will suffer, people will lose jobs, etc.  It also means that we have to get over the mock indignation we have about how everyone should make sacrifices, but moan about the first one that affects us personally.

For those that have done wrong on the way in to this situation (I include the politicians, the bankers, the developers and the naive individuals that thought the only way was up and that the good times would never end), they will eventually get what they are due - good, bad or indifferent, in this life or another.

In the meantime, Bono is tax compliant I am reasonably sure.  He may have interests in businesses that have set up tax residence in other juristictions but these are seperate legal entities to him and there is nothing illegal in what has been done.  We need to be careful of taking the high moral ground on that one.  These businesses have done nothing different to what thousands of other businesses have done by moving their tax residence TO Ireland.  We would lose far more than we would gain by stirring up that hornets nest.

So, we have a choice, either wallow in the crap while things go down the plughole or get over ourselves, roll up our sleeves and get stuck in to getting on with what has to be done.  So which category are we each in?

I'm for getting on with it.

found this on the net

This current form of taxation has come under pressure from a number of areas. The fact that both VAT and VRT are charged on newly registered vehicles in Ireland has been the bone of much contention, both locally and at a European level. The European Commissioner for Customs and Excise has expressed concerns to the Irish Government, over the VRT on new and second-hand imported vehicles, commenting on the excessive levels of motor taxation on Irish citizens. Article 25 of the Treaty of Rome, which governs the European Union, prohibits customs and excise duties and charges having equivalent effect.

if the irish government can pick and choose what E.U. laws they obey and break why shouldn't i hav ethe choice wheather to pay an illegal tax or not???????????

Joey wrote: This current form of taxation has come under pressure from a number of areas.

But where has it been found to be illegal, either in terms if Irish or EU law?  Which court has ruled on it? 

If none has then your assertion of illegality is merely personal opinion.  You are clearly entitled to that opinion but that doesn't make it right.

Joey:

I wonder how long the Revenue will take to track down a E36 M3 Cabrio Cosmos Black in Dublin with yellow plates and no tax disc?

You're a very foolish man to brag on the internet about your illegal tax-dodging. Very foolish indeed.

Press Statement from Revenue today:

Revenue crackdown on VRT offences in border counties

The Revenue Commissioners have commenced a major national crackdown on VRT offences. Customs checkpoints, principally in border counties and major urban areas, have commenced this week in an operation which will continue for some time. The major focus of the blitz is VRT evasion through the use of foreign registered number plates.

"We maintain a focus on VRT offences throughout the year but at regular intervals we undertake 'blitz' style operations which are high visibility" said Revenue Commissioner Liam Irwin. "The focus of this specific campaign is Irish residents illegally driving foreign registered cars. The rules are very clear and people who attempt to evade VRT will face the consequences", he warned.

Last year Revenue challenged 23,986 vehicles and 1,589 cars were seized for VRT offences."

Good on them. This country is on its knees financially. Any measures to increase revenue are to be welcomed.  

To all the VRT crooks out there, if you dodge tax, you are cheating yourself and cheating your country.

Next time you go into A&E and have to wait 12 hours or get battered on the street because the Garda overtime bill has been slashed or have to send your kids to a school with 40 kids per teacher, I hope you remember that.

If you don't want to pay the tax, don't buy the car. Simple.

nailik wrote: Last year Revenue challenged 23,986 vehicles and 1,589 cars were seized for VRT offences."

That tells me that only 6.6% of foreign reg'd vehicles on our roads are being driven illegally, no ?