Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are facing, if we have the 23% VAT plus the 12% tariffs that may come in if we have a hard Brexit, a 35% increase for people who are taking supplements. People take supplements because they need them in the main. The serious consequences of what the witnesses have said is an administrative error are quite daunting. It makes no sense whatsoever. People can then buy these supplements online at 3% VAT, so we are giving away all of that as well. It is crazy.

That is in addition to the jobs that are created by health food stores. We have a great health food store in Belmullet, as well as a chemist who supplies health foods and employs local people. This measure makes no sense, even from a purely economic point of view.