NO INCREASE IN FERMOY PARKING CHARGESNO INCREASE IN FERMOY PARKING CHARGES
Motorists in Fermoy are be spared an increase in car parking charges despite the fact that the town council will have to pay VAT to the exchequer on revenue raised in this way. Fermoy town councillors were once again in agreement at Tuesday night’s town council meeting when it came to the topic of increasing car parking charges in the town.
The hike in parking charges, which was came into effect on July 1, is a direct result of a European Court of Justice ruling in July 2009 that local authorities and public bodies must impose VAT on a range of services to avoid distorting the market between private and public operators.
Fermoy town councillors are not in favour of the increase as they do not want to impose additional charges which could deter people from coming into Fermoy town. Cllr Noel McCarthy said, “If we do pay the VAT then we are giving in and going against what we stated in a letter to the Minister for finance.
This extra money is like a windfall for the Minister.” Cllr O’Donovan commented, “As councilors, we should look for greater support from the other local authorities as the minister is not answering our letters.”
Cllr Pa O’Driscoll agreed and added, “I understand that the minister is trying to save the country economically but we are trying to save Fermoy town economically.”
Michael Cremin, however, said that it isn’t possible not to pay the VAT.
He advised, “We have to pay the VAT. However, our decision is not to increase the parking charges in the town.”
Published:
Thursday 21st October 6:33pm
