Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)

This is one of the many smash and grab proposals that does not make sense. This is part of austerity and part and parcel of taking more money out of people's pockets when they can ill afford to have it taken from them. Members said they have been contacted by people and have attended meetings. People from the Crumlin village area have contacted me, including one man who said that if this comes in on 1 January he will close his shop because he will not be able to keep it open. I am sure the Tánaiste has also heard this. If he was on this side of the House, he would be arguing against the 2% increase in VAT. We must be concerned about the workers and jobs will be lost.

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