Car trade 'has lost patience'

The motor trade may become 'more aggressive' if the Government doesn't pick up on its suggestions to invigorate the economy, its leader warned last night.

Paul Flanagan, President of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry said it was Government decisions which had left it with cars that had been rendered unsaleable, that left it carrying losses because of a reduction in values, and that had contributed to the loss of over 3,000 jobs in the motor trade.

Speaking at the Society's annual dinner, he said the trade's patience was 'at an end', and if decisions on proposals such as a scrappage scheme continued to be delayed, the motor business might 'have to take the agricultural route'.

"We have been cooperative and constructive," he said. "We are prepared to step up and take our share of the burden. But we are not going to bleed to death."

Mr Flanagan said the industry had 'done more than our share', in accepting tax and environmental changes 'that have damaged us'. "This must not happen again," he emphasised, saying that every day without Government moves to help made the problem worse. "Even a few weeks down the road may be too late. Every single day that goes by is an opportunity lost to solve the problem. It's another day with a dealer gone out of business."

He highlighted the problem of illegal imports as one of the biggest issues facing the motor trade in Ireland at the moment. "There are thousands of Irish drivers going around on yellow number plates. When we gave the Revenue information on this, a crackdown collected half a million euros. But there's a million euros outstanding in uncollected taxes on these vehicles."

On a positive note, Mr Flanagan said that out of adversity often came opportunity, and his members will come out at the end of 'this diffiecult period' stronger and fitter. Brian Byrne.

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