Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is probably not the most exciting topic to be debating here today but it matters to so many. Having read through the technicalities, I believe that if the Minister has the scope to reclassify gluten-free products as medicinal, it will be beneficial. The gluten-free products are medicinal because the people affected have no choice but to pick them from the shelf. Reclassifying them as medicinal would untie the Minister’s hands somewhat in that he would no longer have to treat them like more regular biscuits or cakes. Have we scope in Ireland to do this, or is it covered by the EU VAT directive? In his final response, the Minister might deal with the 20% rebate that PAYE workers can get. It seems really cumbersome. So many people are not availing of it at all. Maybe it suits the Revenue Commissioners not to have to deal with it. Sometimes, over many years, I have thought this about taxation. There has to be an easier way to make life easier for affected people going into the supermarket. I am repeating myself in saying they have no choice because it entails a medicinal decision. Following a diagnosis, they have no choice but to buy gluten-free products to stay healthy.

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