Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Let me be very clear. In my own town I see retail outlets closed down and jobs lost and I recognise that is happening in every town in the country. I recognise that many people in retail outlets have not taken an income or salary from their premises for some time because they are just hanging on. It is all about confidence. The VAT decision made by the Government was to bring forward the increases proposed for the next two years to this year, which brings certainty to the situation. It is about confidence. As the Deputy is aware, there is no VAT on two thirds of grocery sales. Competition has increased, prices are down and value is there for consumers and make no mistake about it, consumers are shopping around

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