Inishowen Sinn Féin councillor Jack Murray has said Minister Michael Noonan and the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners must give clear direction as to how customs officers should respond to those in violation of current VRT laws.
Cllr Murray said “Sinn Féin is opposed to VRT for a number of reasons. We believe that VRT is distorting the economy in the northwest and we believe that citizens living across the island of Ireland should be able to benefit fully from membership of the European Common Market.
“If you live in Donegal you can travel across the border and fill your car with food, clothes, alcohol and no custom duty is required. Citizens from Derry can come here and do the same. There should be no difference for the car you drive.
“The European Commission has criticised the government numerous times on VRT and asked them to review its position – Sinn Féin will continue to campaign for the government to do so.
“No party has done as much as Sinn Féin in this regard.
“In light of the recent ombudsman report which said that customs should not have seized cars in specific instances, clarification from the Minister must be given urgently.
“There are differing views as to legal powers regarding VRT seizures coming from different quarters. This confusion benefits no one. Michael Noonan and the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners must clarify the situation immediately,” he said.