Mr. Liam Edwards:

I thank the committee for supporting the 9% VAT rate. We feel it is essential. Since the rate was reduced in 2011, everything else has gone up. We have remained in business because of it. I realise there is a three-tier economy in our industry. Dublin city centre is going well but not so in the suburbs. We all know of the effect of Brexit on the Border counties. We need to represent all of our members, particularly those in rural areas which have not seen the recovery when it started four years ago. The 9% rate is the benchmark of Europe. It must remain and we will fight for it to remain.