Dáil debates

Tuesday, 26 February 2019

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

3:10 pm

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I refer back to the decision to place a 23% VAT rate on food supplements from 1 March. Deputy Howlin raised the number of signatures that have been gathered. The Taoiseach pointed out that the Minister for Finance has been in touch with the Revenue but it is adamant it is its decision. The Government's area is policy and if it is the policy of the Government to look at this, and I understand a review is under way, it makes no sense for the Revenue to persist with the decision. It could be deferred pending the policy review.

We are going through an omnibus Bill for Brexit and putting in aids for various businesses and, at the same time, the other hand of the Government is ensuring that people's jobs will be in trouble because of this VAT decision.

Most important are those who use health supplements. We have all received a large number of representations from people with disabilities, who are struggling to live on the ground and are paying for supplements, the price of which will jump by 23%. For God's sake, I appeal to the Taoiseach to do the right thing and make a practical decision about this. Of course the Revenue is independent but the decision can be deferred.

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