Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Will the Minister confirm that the Department will introduce this portion of the Bill shortly? That is contrary to what the Minister said in the Seanad. I have lived my life on the Border and witnessed the sharp movements and volatility of vast currency fluctuations. I have witnessed unsequenced budgets, not to mention the vulnerability we currently have with Brexit. I am going to speak for the small businesses that will be seriously affected by the introduction of this. Unless there is a reciprocal arrangement on an all-island basis, we will go back to the days of smuggling, illicit trade and losses to both businesses and Revenue. If the Minister is intent on forging ahead with this, as he appears to be, he will do damage to our economy and our trade. He mentioned 10 cent per gram on alcohol but without a reciprocal commitment by the Northern Executive, there will not be a bottle of wine for less that €8, a standard bottle of spirits will be at least €24 and a standard 500 ml can of beer will be at least €2.

Without co-ordination North and South, this will drive people to shop abroad. The sugar tax was co-ordinated when Deputy Michael Noonan was Minister, with the tax being introduced North and South, and if the Minister of State attempts to do otherwise, which he suggested will happen shortly, we will go back to unregulated sales into the South, including to minors and the vulnerable people he is purporting to help. My party and I support this section of the Bill but I represent the people who will be affected the most, whether they are in Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth or Sligo. The Minister is dealing with an issue that is connected to Brexit and will do harm to the trade of small retailers along the Border region. I urge him to desist.

See this speech in context