Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I accept that this affects a broad range of products and that not everything is as good as other products. Quite often it is elderly people or those who are genuinely very unwell with chronic illnesses who buy some food supplements to help with whatever conditions they have. Their prices will increase by almost one quarter if a VAT rate of 23% is applied to them. It will have a significant impact on some people, often those who are not terribly well and do not have sufficient income. I appreciate that not all food supplements are amazing, but many have beneficial qualities; therefore, if people do not take them, they could end up using the health service, costing us €700 or €800 per day or whatever the daily rate is. There might be a false economy as we might only receive a little in VAT. I have highlighted the independence of the Revenue Commissioners and take on board the fact that the Minister is carrying out a review. It might be false economy for the State to gain a little in VAT when half of the people might no longer buy the products and they later become sick and have to go to doctors to claim other and more expensive products. We should bear this in mind.

There is the matter of taxation.

I will attend the OECD next week on behalf of the committee. The Minister has done a great deal of work with the OECD on addressing global concerns about the loss of tax revenues from various companies. Unfortunately, we have a certain reputation. Like the Minister, I defend Ireland and point out that we are not seeking the €13 billion, given that it was not earned here and does not belong to us. When the Minister meets other finance Ministers and, presumably, is sometimes accused of collecting revenues greater than he is entitled to, what is his line?