Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Can the Minister offer clarification to the House and, more importantly,to the thousands of businesses across the State and the 130,000 people dependent on jobs in the hospitality sector? That sector is under pressure. We have seen 700 businesses close down since the Government increased the VAT rate to 13.5%. According to CSO employment figures released in June, the hospitality sector saw the largest drop of any sector, namely 0.9%.

Is there a reason the Minister is not committing to a rate of 9%? Everybody believes that the rate will be 9%. Is he not doing that just because it is tradition to do it on budget day or is there a question mark over whether it could still be the 11% he advocated during the general election campaign? Is it still up for debate? That is the first question.

The Minister made a commitment and recognised that there was a need to do this within the first 100 days of the Government being in office. Does he still believe that? We strongly believe that this should be done before the summer. If it does not happen then, when will it happen? Reference to the budget can mean something happening on budget night or on 1 January. What sectors will be included?

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