Louth/East Meath Greens speak out against proposed VAT increase

At its November monthly meeting on Thursday last, members of the Louth/East Meath Green Party spoke out against proposed VAT increase to 23% on the grounds that it would once again destroy trading conditions for Border towns .

Among the contributers to the debate was Former Green Party Senator, Mark Dearey who told the meeting that in the days before last year's budget he had lobbied the late Minister Lenihan not to increase VAT despite the option being available to him within the terms of the EU/ECB/IMF agreement.

He did so in the course of a conference call between the Minister and members of the Green Parliamentary party, Senator Dearey reported.

"I relayed to Minister Lenehan the damage the half percent increase had caused in the previous few years and that any increase now would have a similar effect. He acknowledged that at a time when the UK rate was historically low this increase had been a mistake" Dearey told the meeting.

"I was relieved when the details of the budget were announced that no provision for a VAT increase was included", he stated.

"Minister Noonan must understand that this measure is a disaster for Dundalk, Drogheda and the Border counties.It doesnt need to be introduced in this way under the terms of the Troika deal. I along with many others I am sure, have been in contact with local members of the Labour and Fine Gael parliamentary party urging them to prevail on the Minister and they have agreed to do so." Mr. Dearey said on Monday.