Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I heard the word "hypocrite" being used. I will put it this way. I am keeping my word to the people of County Kerry who lobbied and asked me to make sure the VAT rate would not be increased from 9% to 13.5%. I will not drive a nail into their coffin. I will do everything I can to support them, as I always have done. It is a retrograde step to see Deputies, especially from rural Ireland, not only County Kerry, voting in favour of this increase. It will hurt small businesses, especially in rural Ireland, at a time when we should be trying to keep them going.

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