Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We welcome that, and that will be dealt with in detail in respect of the tax strategy group papers. I asked the Minister in committee whether it would be helpful if the Revenue postponed its implementation. He might answer whether that would be helpful.

The key area is in respect of the bookmakers. I would argue that this is different from some of the other work under consideration in terms of the tax strategy group papers because it comes from proposals to carry out this review that have been put and accepted by Government in the debate on the Finance Bill. That is different. There was no need for it to be tied into the tax strategy group papers although, all things being equal, that is where it should be dealt with. The issue is that there is uncertainty. The Minister acknowledged in the debate on the Finance Bill that this would lead to job losses, however they can be quantified. There is no doubt that it will put additional pressure on a sector already under pressure and under restructuring. If clarification on state aid rules comes from Europe and if the Department is in a position to identify a recommendation to change the position on betting duty, will the Minister indicate that to the industry, if it is available to him, prior to the publication of the tax strategy group papers?

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