The Government gives with one hand and takes back with the other, it seems. After a so-called “giveaway” Budget, the string of clawback charges begins in earnest.
Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly, already responsible for the Irish Water national scam, is now set to approve plans to add a “recycling” charge for tyres, which is likely to be passed on to customers.
The new charge, widely seen as a stealth tax designed to catch people unaware, will come into effect by the middle of next year. It is likely to add €12 to the cost of replacing a set of tyres for a family car, and up to €160 for commercial vehicles.
A spokesman said: “This is yet another new stealth tax which the general public are not aware is coming down the road.
“What the minister is proposing is going to impact upon anyone buying new tyres in the Republic. If this happens, then we are talking about local dealers closing and jobs being lost.”