Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I cannot accept the proposed amendment to the Order of Business today. I absolutely accept the importance of the issue and am conscious that other colleagues have sought debates on budgetary issues on previous occasions. I will ask the Leader again about arranging those debates. In respect of the 9% VAT rate, which several colleagues have raised, there is universal acceptance of the benefit to the hospitality sector from the reduction in the VAT rate. It was a specific measure introduced by the Government early in 2011 to encourage job creation in the tourism-related and hospitality sectors. Across all categories targeted by the 9% VAT reduction, I have been informed that it is estimated that more than 21,000 jobs were created. That is a different figure to that proffered by Senator Mooney. Undoubtedly it has given a great boost to the sector and has benefited communities right across Ireland. However, as Senator Clune and others pointed out, the Government has committed significant resources - there are some differences on the actual figure - to fund the VAT reduction. This has to be balanced with the wider economic agenda of the Government. Of course, the budget is still under preparation and the tax measures, including any changes to the VAT rate, will be announced by the Minister for Finance on budget day. Senator Mooney described it as a pump priming exercise and there is no doubt it has had a hugely beneficial impact in that regard.

Senator Coghlan referred to the Constitutional Convention, which I will be attending this weekend in Malahide. We will be discussing the issue of votes for emigrants, specifically whether Irish citizens resident abroad should have the right to vote in presidential elections in the future. That is certainly something of which I am very supportive, as are many of my colleagues here from the universities constituency. Indeed, we have quite a number of emigrants among our constituents and voters, that is, Irish citizens who are graduates, residing abroad who have a right to vote in Seanad elections.