PRESS RELEASE :
23/05/2003 Immediate Release

MAG Ireland calls for VAT reduction on Motorcycle Helmets.MAG Ireland, the association representing Ireland's moped, scooter andmotorcycle riders, is calling for a reduction in the VAT charged onmotorcycle helmets and other safety equipment.Improving motorcycle safety is one of MAG Ireland's major concerns and theimposition of the standard rate of VAT on a compulsory safety item such asmotorcycle helmets does nothing to encourage riders to buy the best equipment available.
"The imposition of VAT at the standard rate of 21% can add anything from 25 to 200 to the price of a new helmet." said MAG Ireland's CampaignsOfficer, Karen Kiely. "A reduction in VAT on helmets and other important safety equipment such as gloves and boots could mean the difference betweena young rider choosing to buy a new helmet conforming to the highest modernCE types or using secondhand equipment whose protective qualities could becompromised by age or wear and tear. Motorcycle gloves can cost anything
from ?30 to ?200 and reducing VAT on these and other items such as boots
may give an incentive to riders to buy these items and avoid the serious
abrasion injuries which can often result from even minor accidents at slow
speeds."We have asked the Minister for Finance to consider a reduction in the rate
of VAT applied to helmets and other protective clothing, only to be told
that these things are in the hands of the E.U.. We now call upon the
Minister to support our recent submission to the European Commission who
are currently reviewing the VAT system throughout the Single Market. The
majority of the M.E.P.'s we contacted on this issue were happy to give us
their full support on this important safety issue and we look forward to
receiving the same level of support from our National government.

Background: MAG Ireland (Irish Motorcyclist's Action Group) was set up in 1985 and
represents the interests of Ireland's 40,000 motorcyclists, scooterists and
moped users.Areas tackled by MAG Ireland include road safety, training, road
conditions, technical harmonisation, tax issues, consumer issues affecting
riders, licencing and insurance.MAG Ireland offers a wide range of benefits to its membership of over fourthousand riders including discounts at many retail outlets and events, asubscription to Ireland's largest circulation motorcyclist magazine, a health insurance scheme andinformation service.

For further information contact
Karen Kiely
National Campaigns Officer
+ 353 1 453 07 97
campaigns@magireland.org
MAG Ireland
1b Ring Terrace
Inchicore
Dublin 8
Republic of Ireland