Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Taoiseach is aware, coach operators are not at present eligible to register for VAT. That would enable them to claim back the VAT paid on fuel, tyres and other running costs. I understand some EU requirement does not allow for such registration. The Taoiseach has been advocating at EU level for some flexibility on VAT issues. In that context, this is an area that needs urgent consideration.

Coach operators are under particular pressure at present. One small-scale operator in my county operates a cross-Border service established in 2012. The same fares are being charged today as back in 2012. That is not viable in the long run and the coach operators need some particular assistance in that regard, especially with costs to try to reduce them. They cannot pass any more costs onto the consumer. In that context there are particular difficulties in the Border region because in the neighbouring jurisdiction, such businesses are eligible for VAT registration.

See this speech in context