McNulty calls on Sinn Féin to Scrap Tax on Donegal Hauliers

Donegal hauliers are continuing to be fleeced by an extra Northern government tax, Fine Gael general election candidate John McNulty has said.

Hauliers must pay an annual €700 levy for crossing into the North, despite a €600 million Irish Government pledge towards the building of the A5.

John McNulty said Sinn Féin needs to scrap the charge which puts up the price of goods in Donegal shops.

“Sinn Féin needs to work to scrap this ridiculous tax immediately.

“Irish taxpayers are forking out a fortune for the A5 whenever that finally gets started, and yet Donegal hauliers are being asked to pay twice to use it.

“Hauliers must pay £576– almost €700 for crossing into the North. It’s ridiculous that this is still going on. There is no charge for Northern Ireland lorry drivers using roads in the Republic.

“Once again we see the consequences of Sinn Féin in power in the North doing one thing and saying something completely different over the border in Donegal.”

Mr McNulty says he knows of hauliers who have faced massive fines too.

“I know one haulier who used a lorry for a Dublin run which is normally used elsewhere. His driver was stopped in Ballygawley in Tyrone and fined the equivalent of €400.”

Mr McNulty also expressed concern at yet another judicial review of the A5 by landowners in Tyrone.

“Donegal has been waiting far too long for this road,” said McNulty.

“The whole thing has been badly handled by Sinn Féin and others. I still find it mind-boggling that the original plans were submitted without an environmental impact assessment. That set it back years under Sinn Féin’s watch,” he added.