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Despite the new emissions-based VRT and Motor Tax systems, Ireland does not have its own emissions measurement facility. The Revenue Commissioners will rely on the car manufacturers to provide the correct CO2 rating for each vehicle.
In its lifetime, no car will ever emit more carbon dioxide than it did during its manufacture. And though Irish consumers buy these vehicles, the Irish economy is not directly profiting from their sale. As there are no Irish car manufacturers, should we be accountable for the CO2 emitted in their production? Manufacturers have been advocating for an integrative approach to CO2 liability, where production and use are a socially responsible. And while this is an important point, these manufacturers are making a business out of producing cars, and thus producing CO2. The use of such a vehicle is not in proportion with the amount that it takes to produce it, and thus should the balance of responsibility be that equal? On top of this, the basis for the new motor tax system is the one-off specification of CO2 emitting per kilometre. It does not update this tax on a yearly basis, based on the amount of kilometres travelled. A car that on paper emits 156g/km may only be driven 5,000km per year, emitting a total of 780,000g. On the other hand, a car that emits 120g/km, could be driven 10,000km in that same year, emitting a total of 1,200,000g. The system doesn’t appear to take account of this fact when considering the affect on the environment
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