Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to raise my concerns about the imposition of the 23% VAT rate on food supplements. This decision makes no sense.It is wrong and it should be reversed. I call on the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, to revisit this decision before any further decisions are made on it. This proposal will affect and hurt the most vulnerable in our society, namely, the people who are under severe financial pressure due to the rising costs of living. People take food supplements for a variety of reasons, but they primarily take them to stay healthy, to stay away from their local GP and to stay away from hospitals that are already under pressure. With Brexit just around the corner, the timing of this proposed increase is wrong. I am disappointed to say that it is yet another example of the Government's total lack of understanding of what life is like for those of us who live in the Border counties, or what life is like for those who are trying to run a business in the Border counties. It is difficult enough without making decisions like this. If this decision goes ahead, it will result in people travelling across the Border to shop, which will have a very negative impact on the businesses that are struggling to stay open along the Border counties. Consider the fact that this also follows on from the increased VAT rate for the hotel industry. It does not fill me with confidence that the Government gets it when it comes to businesses and people and what they are going through in the Border counties. I ask the Leader to bring our message back to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, to press the stall button on this decision, for the benefit of people's health and for those who are trying to run and keep open businesses while employing people in Border counties.