Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On the question of insurance costs, while we have some oversight in respect of motor insurance premiums by virtue of data from the Central Statistics Office, CSO, we have no such data for employer liability and public liability insurance. We rely on anecdotal evidence and feedback from individual businesses, community groups, sporting bodies, festival organisers and representative bodies.

It seems there is a serious problem in this space. Some businesses with a significant public footfall, such as pubs, nightclubs, businesses in the leisure industry and play centres, are being put out of business. Cost is a significant factor in the closure of some businesses. Many more are saying they too will be in jeopardy if the trend associated with insurance costs continues. We have a working group on the cost of insurance and the report of the Personal Injuries Commission. Second Stage of the Judicial Council Bill was concluded in the Seanad some time ago and the Bill is awaiting Committee Stage. We need to deal with the issue of award levels. Can the Minister give a commitment that the Government will prioritise the passage of that legislation in order that we can have guidelines issued to the Judiciary in respect of what constitutes appropriate awards?

On the question of the Garda insurance fraud unit, I understand the Minister's colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, met the Garda Commissioner some weeks ago and the Commissioner confirmed he did not want the unit to be funded by the insurance industry. I can understand and accept that. It needs to be set up and funded, however. Could the Minister comment on that?

My final question relates to VAT on food supplements. Could the Minister update the committee on his discussions with the Revenue Commissioners on this issue as time is ticking? Today is 21 February and on 1 March, a significant change is due to be made with a standard rate of 23% to be applied. This would have a detrimental impact on many of the businesses and the consumers they serve. The position of the Revenue Commissioners on the concession applied to minerals, vitamins and fish oils has been stated many times. I have seen multiple Revenue Commissioners determinations - including screen grabs from their website, although they have been taken down since - that other food supplements were zero rated also. Therefore, there has been a real lack of consistency on this issue. The bottom line, however, is that the change on 1 March should not go ahead. I ask the Minister to give us an update on that.