Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Revenue has retrieved the files relating to the issue as far back as 1981. Some people in the House were not even born then. They are currently reviewing the information contained therein. In 1984, clothing and footwear sizes were determined after consultation with footwear trade interests at manufacturing and distribution levels. The panel included the Federation of Irish Footwear Manufacturers, the Federation of Irish Sports Distributors, the National Federation of Drapers, Start-rite shoes (children only) and the Irish Wholesale Footwear Association. An investigation has revealed that further consultations were undertaken by Revenue with the footwear industry in 1997 following calls by the sector for a review. This included KPMG, the Irish Footwear Association, Dunnes Stores, Clarks, Fagan and Associates, Dubarry, Deloitte, Goodbody, Coopers & Lybrand, PwC and BDO. We will ask Revenue to review the determination of sizes for the average ten year old.

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