Unanimous opposition to aggregates tax in Northern Ireland

THE Northern Ireland Assembly has unanimously opposed the introduction of the proposed aggregates tax, which, it is understood, could threaten over 4,000 quarrying jobs in the province. Following a debate by the Assembly on 12 December, speakers from both Unionist parties, the Social Democratic and Labour Party, Sinn Fein and the Alliance Party all spoke out against the tax.

The debate concluded with the resolution 'that the Assembly notes the serious economic and environmental implications the aggregates tax will have for the quarrying and construction industry in Northern Ireland and calls upon ministers to make representations to the UK Treasury to prevent the introduction of the tax in this region'.

According to research by the QPA, the tax would allow imports of aggregate products from the Republic to undercut the indigenous industry across 50% of Northern Ireland and would eliminate a thriving export business from Northern Ireland to the Republic.

Moreover, the tax would provide no environmental incentive and, in practice, would actually increase lorry movements from the Republic, thereby generating adverse environmental impacts.

Commenting on the debate, Robert Durward, director of the British Aggregates Association, said: 'Northern Ireland has suffered more than its fair share of economic deprivation in recent years. Now, as the province tries to turn the corner, the aggregates tax comes along to deliver a cruel blow to hard-working rural communities. If the Government is serious about bringing prosperity to the people of Northern Ireland, it will scrap its proposed aggregates tax now.'