Results 18,061-18,080 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: We had a good discussion on this issue on Committee Stage. It is widely acknowledged that the change will have a significant and detrimental impact on independent bookmakers, in particular. I support Deputy Pearse Doherty's point about the wider context, which is why we have been calling consistently for progress on the Gambling Control Bill 2018 to deal with problem gambling. The industry...

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: The amendments are grouped, so do I not get a second chance?

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: I will be brief. In effect, the Minister is asking me not to press the amendment, so I have to ask what exactly he is committing to. We have asked for a report on the economic impact assessment of this measure. The context is clear. The trend is accelerating. The move to online gambling is very evident for all of us to see, and the concern is that we will quickly see closures, people...

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: When can we do it?

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 23:In page 133, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following:“Report on economic impact of VAT rebate on car rental sector 41.The Minister shall within three months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report assessing the economic impact of ending the VAT rebate on VRT on the car rental sector in section 37.". This amendment...

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: Several points need to be made. First, this was not a budget day measure. It was not announced on budget day. It was not contained in the budget day booklet or within the summary of taxation measures. Certain measures that brought in as little as €2 million were singled out in the budget day booklet summary of tax measures. The Minister says this measure will bring in €20...

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: Will the Minister of State respond?

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: I did not personally make it.

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: No; I will take up the matter with the Minister of State separately.

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 25In page 134, between lines 1 and 2, to insert the following:“VAT treatment in respect of children’s footwear and clothes 45. The Minister shall, within three months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report on efforts by the Department of Finance to secure flexibility at EU level in relation to VAT on children’s...

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: Whatever way we dress it up or discuss the detail, the simple reality is that while notionally there is an exemption from VAT for children's shoes and clothes, for a significant minority of children, it does not apply. That is the issue I am looking to have addressed. While I accept that the Government's hands are more or less tied by EU law on value added tax, VAT, from what the Minister of...

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 26:In page 134, between lines 1 and 2, to insert the following:“VAT on food supplements45.The Minister shall within three months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report on the different rates of VAT charged on food supplements and on whether certain categories of food supplements should be retained in the zero rate VAT...

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: People dedicate their lives to providing these products with the objective of making a commercial return but also of helping people in their lives. I do not know if those are comments that the Minister of State supports, but they were made by the leader of his Government.

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: On the substantive issue, we seem to be in a grey area. The current system of VAT on food supplements is riven with disputes. There is a distinct lack of clarity. I would go as far as to say it is dysfunctional. Some people may be regarded by Revenue as compliant, while others may be regarded as not compliant. People often do not know whether they are compliant with the application of...

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: While the Minister gave the commitment described, in further conversation it became clear that the Revenue intends to issue guidance on the application of VAT in this area. We do not know whether the Revenue guidance or the review in the tax strategy papers will come first? I asked the Minister to give a commitment not to implement any change in respect of interpretation until we have the...

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: I will set out the Fianna Fáil position. We regard the digital tax proposals as the first step towards tax harmonisation through the back door. It is the thin end of the wedge and it does represent a transfer of taxing rights. It will also represent a transfer of actual tax revenue from smaller member states, such as Ireland, to larger member states. There is a need, undoubtedly, for...

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: The topic does not matter.

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: I will be brief. As the Minister is aware, this is touching on a problematic area. We are all familiar with the staggering sight of dozens of people queueing to view a property that becomes available on the rental market. The inability to save is very real for people who are renting in the private market who want to purchase their own home. Even if they could service a mortgage, they...

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: This provision relates directly to the confidence and supply agreement which I was involved in negotiating back in 2016. Without such a provision in the agreement, mortgage interest relief would have been removed totally for everyone at the end of 2017 and there would have been a cliff-edge effect. All of the benefit people had been enjoying would have been lost. On average, it was worth...

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: Sinn Féin did not campaign against it.