John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Effectively, the Minister is saying the taxpayer will have to pick up the tab for this and there will be less money to spend on sport as a result of the allocation. Might the money come from the funding allocated to sport?

In a reply to Deputy Enright on 14 October, the Minister stated the VAT invoice was issued and provided for under legislation at the time. In view of the Supreme Court judgment which took an entirely different view, does the Minister wish to withdraw that statement? In addition, the Attorney General mentioned highly paid advisers. Are these advisers being held to account for the mistake they made in pursuing this case and thereto advising the Minister? Can the Minister confirm whether she has sought a refund of €3.5 million paid to the executive services team which got the VAT wrong by more than €10 million and made so many other wrong calls?

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