Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Notwithstanding any election promise, I do not have a major problem with the price of alcohol being increased. I hope further proposals in this regard will be forthcoming from the Minister in the near future. Such proposals are very much overdue. Will the Minister of State address the issue of claims made for VAT rebates in respect of below cost sales of alcohol? In effect, the State, through the Department of Finance, is subsidising the low cost of alcohol. That low cost is giving rise to so much trouble in society. It should not be beyond the wit of the Department to bring forward proposals, whereby the big multiples, in particular, could be prevented from claiming VAT rebates in respect of below cost sales of alcohol. I understand the grounds on which VAT rebates are allowed in cases where, for various market reasons, products are being sold below cost. However, the multiples have made a conscious decision to sell below cost - this is a marketing tool - and they should not be allowed to claim rebates in respect of this. The State should certainly not be subsidising the sale of cheap alcohol through VAT rebates. Will the Minister of State raise this matter with the Department and request that the serious loophole to which I refer and which is contributing to much of the damage being done in society be closed off?

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