By HUBERT MURPHY Drogheda Independent

Wednesday December 03 2008

DROGHEDA Chamber of Commerce’s campaign to drop VAT has drawn countrywide attention, with president Patricia Rooney featuring on both national TV and radio.

The chamber website is urging everyone to email and postcard the Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan and the Minister for Trade Enterprise and Employment Mary Coughlan to cut VAT and help the retailers on the border counties and the entire country to stem the flow north.

In a statement the chamber states: ‘We call for the minister to reduce the rate to 15% in the Republic immediately and until further notice, this will stimulate the economy and help to stem the flow north to shop and save jobs’.

A letter to the minster further highlights the issues impacting on all concerned.

‘Last Monday, December 1st, we in this part of the island of Ireland increased our VAT rate from 21% to 21.5% while the Northern Ireland economy sees a reduction from the present 17.5% rate to 15% and ignoring all the other negative factors which mitigate against us for a moment we are disadvantaged to the tune of 45% on the VAT issue alone.

‘The Belfast City Council and the City and County Councils all over Northern Ireland are four square behind their business sector and have organised a Republic wide advertising campaign to attract the southern shoppers into their stores and hotels and restaurants with even more incentives.

‘Free parking in the car parks under their control, media coverage of what is available and where, extending opening hours are all being advertised. They are helping to save and support employment for their residents and it is being done largely at our expense’.

The chamber website is www.dropthevat.com and they are encouraging everyone to register their support by signing a petition on the site.