Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator van Turnhout's proposal to the effect that Senator Barrett should serve on the committee in question.

Some time ago we requested that, as is the case in other countries, the VAT on defibrillators should be reduced to 0%. Has the relevant Minister managed to achieve any progress in this regard? Negotiations on the matter were due to take place at European level under Directive 2006/123/EC, which states that VAT should be equal in all countries and which does not grant power to reduce it to 0%.

Ireland is unique in charging 23% VAT on the first-time sales of works of art by living artists. In other countries, including Britain, the rate charged is only 9%. It would be extremely positive if we could reduce the reduce the relevant rate of VAT from 23% to 9% because this would discourage artists from leaving the country and going elsewhere. Communities in general and the economy at large would benefit if we were to make the change to which I refer. It does not make sense to charge 23% VAT on works of art in this country when the authorities in Britain and elsewhere only charge 9%.

Complaints are being made throughout the country with regard to the threat to the main streets in our towns. This is due to the fact that car parking in large shopping centres is free. The parking charges which apply in respect of main streets are making matters very difficult. In France, the parking charge period has been reduced to 15 minutes from one hour. This means that on each occasion one pays at a parking meter, one only pays for 15 minutes. This means that someone who wants to drop into the local shop to purchase a newspaper or whatever is only obliged to pay a very small amount. If he or she leaves her car there for an additional five or ten minutes, he or she is only obliged to pay for an additional 15 minutes. It makes sense to draw attention to what the authorities in France have done in respect of this matter, particularly as the lifeblood is being sucked out of many of our main streets as a result of the car parking charges that apply. What has been done in France makes sense and I am of the view that we should consider following suit.