Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Talbot for his opening statement. I have two quick questions.

A representative from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, was here earlier. Mr. Talbot is advocating retention of the 9% VAT rate but ICTU is saying it is a loss to Revenue. How does Mr. Talbot counter that argument?

Representatives of the Irish Tax Institute were also here. I think Mr. Talbot heard some of their evidence here today. Its representatives talked about a lack of diversification as one of the main struggles facing the SME sector and small businesses in terms of Brexit. The impression I got is it is their main underlining worry. Does Mr. Talbot agree with that?