Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am very aware of the VAT issue to which Deputy Róisín Shortall refers. I suspect that she and I are quite close in our views on the matter. I am very interested in pursuing this issue. I am standing in for the Minister for Finance, but, in my capacity as Minister of State at the Department of Health, I assure the Deputy and the House that I am aware of and propose to pursue this important and serious issue.

In the context of Deputy Denis Naughten's point, I am advised that the Minister for Finance met those who brought forward the proposal on the introduction of a lid tax. The matter was considered and I understand significant legal obstacles came to light. I do not believe the door is entirely closed on proposals of this nature. It is an interesting proposal, but it is probably not workable in its current form. An opportunity to re-examine it may arise in the future.

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