Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the amendment. I have family members who play sport. Health foods and supplements are used all the time. As Deputy Howlin says, we encourage this and give these supplements to pregnant women. The Taoiseach is often accused of being sneaky but to call these products snake oil is an outrageous comment from a so-called medical doctor. Thank God neither I nor my family are his patients if that is what he calls health supplements. I know that medical people protect their own livelihoods and many do not like health foods, but these products are part and parcel of our lives now. In my constituency, this industry provides valuable employment, pays rates and health food shops are part of our high street. Goodness knows, the high street is under enough attack without imposing a punitive VAT rate on these products.

As Deputy Howlin said, these products are part of the food chain. They are food ingredients and the industry has to adhere to the relevant standards on labelling, packaging and everything else. I do not know whether it was a slip of the tongue or a sneaky move. I do not like the snake either. I support the amendment.

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