Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

I appeal to the Tánaiste to row back on this decision because it will have a disproportionate impact on low income families. It is a flat tax. The Government is putting it forward as if it will apply only to luxuries. Adult clothes and shoes, having a telephone in a rural area and basic household appliances are not luxuries.

It will also damage employment in small towns. Small towns are already dying. A business person told me that only €20 went through the till one day last week which did not even pay for the heating. That is what one faces in January. This will not generate more income but will damage those local economies. What will happen is that one will charge more but get less. Will the Government rethink this?

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