Minister snubs shipping industry in Finance Bill
Friday, 16 February 2001 16:44
The shipping industry has reacted angrily to what it says is its exclusion from any concessions in the Finance Bill published yesterday. The industry had called for tax measures in the Budget to encourage an increase in the Irish merchant shipping fleet. The Chamber of Shipping says that the Government's attitude has already caused some ship owners to re-register their vessels in the Netherlands, and others may follow.
For the second time, the Minister for Finance has ignored the shipping industry and this has brought outraged reaction with the Secretary of the Chamber of Shipping saying that he was disgusted that the Government seemed to lack understanding of the industry.
Brian Kerr said that the industry had been lobbying for a tonnage tax system, which would encourage more Irish shipping ownership, new and additional vessels, with more seafaring employment. He said that he could not understand how the Minister had treated the industry so badly and posed the question - "Is anyone listening?"
Mr Kerr added that thirteen Irish ships had now gone to Holland to register on the Dutch shipping fleet because there were better conditions to operate from there in Europe and he feared others might follow.
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