Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is causing significant concern and worry to the thousands of people around the country who take food supplements to relieve health conditions and maintain good health. A recent UN report entitled, Towards a Common Food Policy for the European Union, published earlier this month, stated that 80% of healthcare costs are caused by chronic diseases, many of which are the result of poor diets. The report suggested that EU reform of public procurement and VAT could shift incentives in favour of healthy and sustainable diets.

The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Heather Humphreys, and Ms Mairead McGuinness, MEP, recently opened a new facility for Revive Active in Mullingar at a cost of €500,000 and employing up to 35 people. I met representatives of that company who advised me that, if this VAT rate is introduced, they could end up laying people off.

Along with my colleagues, I ask that the decision on the VAT rate be deferred until proper engagement takes place with all the stakeholders.

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