Kate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Following on from what Deputy Calleary asked about VAT and income tax, Mr. Quinn was answering and mentioned that perhaps there was no need to start worrying yet. At what point does one get worried? It seems coincidental to me. In my personal life, I do a bit of trade with the UK and it seems to be very clear to anyone operating a business with the UK that there has been an immediate knock-on effect from Brexit, despite what some members might think. It seems that what were termed an "unexpected" VAT reduction and an "unexpected" income tax reduction have happened to coincide with Brexit. Is there a relationship there? At what point is it correct to get concerned? Do we look at three months or are we looking at six months if we have a continuous downward movement in VAT returns? It seems clear that when retail sales are strong and unemployment is at a reasonable rate, if it looks and quacks like a duck, it generally is one. Is it a duck? Is it Brexit that is causing that?