Gormley - Irish Gov must take action on cross border trade - how ?

[drbob1972]

So John Gormley has said that the government must take action to ensure that traders in ireland are not at a dis-advantage esp in light of the likely increasing gulf between the UK and Irish VAT rates, not to mention the lower cost of goods there before this change.

Now given that we are both EU countries they cannot take draconian actions like customs on the border, etc, nor can they limit what people bring back into the ROI from the UK, so i'm wondering what meaningful actions can the goverment actually take to try and address the issue ? certainly i cannot see them reducing the VAT rate here (esp given the increase in the budget) so what other options are open to them ?

[locke]

Speaking to reporters in Dublin today, the minister said it was important for Ireland the UK to ensure their actions are "in sync" to ensure neither gains a competitive advantage.

It's obvious

Tax Harmonisation.

Because it suits us in this case.

[sparkey321]

Didn't see the government taking too much action about all the northern reg cars crossing the border South to fill up.

[zakalwe1]

shoot border crossers on sight. unless they are in an electric powered car.

[White Horse]

shoot border crossers on sight. unless they are in an electric powered car.

Don't even joke about that. The Greens just might consider it.

[Oppenheimer]

Free bike with every Southern shopping trip!

[Nuada]

I don’t really give a toss what the government says, if I can make savings of on average 50 - 70 Euros by driving one hour up the road well then I will.

A new Iceland recently re-opened in DSC, I thought I would give them the benefit of the doubt and check the prices out, what I found appalled me. Stuff that had both GB and IRL prices on them, one item that was marked £5 was selling for €9.50, another marked £2.50 was selling for €4.25.

Me and the wife left half a trolley and walked out of the shop, headed straight to ALDI to do the weekly shop.

[Ed Dantes]

Take Enniskillen versus Sligo.

Enniskillen wins on
Price
Choice
Parking (free)
Courtesy of staff. Northerners smile and greet you, Southerners (generally) do not.

Any town West of the Bann can say the same.

How will Gormless trump that?

[ZANU-FF]

Gormless mouthing and spouting again

he always does that before he thinks

Unless the govt pulls a complete u-turn (rem. they raised VAT in the budget by an insane 0.5%) and DROPS VAT to match NI

otherwise the cross border shopping will continue (I bet all Lisbon No voters are grateful for the EU at times like this)

what can Gormless do? NOTHING, he is a big mouthed hollow vessel. Maybe he intends banning cars and making us ride bikes! cant imagine anyone cycling from the North with their shopping on a carrier

Gormless - the man that cant think

[BodyofEvidence]

Joined up government me aras....