Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I do not know if the Minister has met representatives of ISME in addition to those of IBEC. ISME has stated the proposed change could be the death blow for the retail sector. Businesses will be facing an increase of 2% in VAT on top of commercial rates at a time when their turnover and retail spending have reduced. This will be a further imposition on employers and appears to be anti-jobs. Will the Minister elaborate on any discussions she might have had with IBEC and ISME and their response to the proposal? It will, in effect, amount to a sick leave tax on businesses in direct contrast with the Government's rhetoric on job creation. How do IBEC and ISME understand the effects of the proposal? Has a cost impact analysis been undertaken to assess the effect on employers?

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