Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Ahearn for putting forward his strongly held views on the VAT rate and its reduction to 9%, and also pointing out that we put approximately €12 billion into our business sector in the two budgets preceding budget 2024. That shows the scale of the Government commitment to our SME sector. Be absolutely assured that I will leave no stone unturned in fighting for the SME sector. I will do all that is available to me through the powers of my office in the budgetary negotiations and I will work very hard to ensure we have a package which is very robust for the SME sector and for the wider business community. This is because I am very much aware our SMEs employ 70% of all the people in our communities and drive so much of this economic activity. They need to be supported and Fine Gael, as a party, is very much committed to rewarding enterprise. This is about those who work five to nine as opposed to nine to five and try to ensure that there is valuable employment right across our communities. We will continue to do that and we will be working hard in the budgetary negotiations.

I thank Senator Ahearn for his efforts, as Seanad spokesperson for enterprise, trade and employment, in bringing these valuable data to our debate. We will work together as we build up to budget 2025.