Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the amendment. I raised it, along with many other Independent Members, during the programme for Government talks. It is a major issue in communities across the country and this is a very reasonable amendment, especially given the many spiralling costs including insurance. Insurance costs will be very detrimental to voluntary and community associations. The Minister told us he could have only a certain number of VAT rates. The hardship is awful. The Minister expects people who have already paid taxes on their incomes, whether they be self-employed, PAYE workers or social welfare recipients, to fund-raise and contribute, and then charities must pay VAT.

In my county, many ambulance services are unavailable and the Red Cross provides ambulances on a voluntary basis, expecting a contribution from the patient. The Red Cross fund-raises to buy these ambulances. It is farcical in the extreme that a community has to pay a third tax. They pay for the services that provide ambulances and then the patient is expected to make a contribution to the Red Cross. This must be dealt with. Ireland depends on voluntary services to a huge extent. Some move must be made to right the situation of VAT being paid on defibrillators and many other facilities. The Minister should consider the amendment in any way he can. It is long overdue.

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