Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have tabled amendments relating to VAT rates of 0%. I will be brief on this. This section deals with the zero-rating of items in respect of the media industry and certain medical and sanitary products. I support the section, particularly in respect of medical and sanitary products. I say that because I will focus on the media part of the section if that is okay.

We know that on budget day the Minister announced the application of a VAT rate of 0% on newspapers and news periodicals. News periodicals are gone, so The Phoenixmagazine, for example, will no longer be subject to a 0% rate. I want to hear clarification on the reason for that. Why have news periodicals been dropped from the Minister's budget speech? Why does the commitment he gave on budget day no longer appear within the Finance Bill? Will he outline the news periodicals that will now be impacted? He may refer to Magilland The Phoenix, but how far are we talking about, and where is the motivation of him and his party or his Government coming from for this? I would like to come back in when I get that clarification.