asked the Minister for Finance whether any attention has been given to a change over to a value added tax structure; and whether any schedule for such a change over has been decided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Value Added Tax.
11.
The value-added tax system has been given careful consideration in my Department over recent years and a White Paper on the system was published in June, 1968.
This year's Financial Statement expressed the view that the added-value tax is the most efficient system of collecting a turnover tax extending to the retail stage and that it is the form of sales taxation most suited to modern conditions. No decision on the introduction of this form of tax has yet been taken by the Government and I envisage having consultations with all interested bodies before the details of the system—if it is to be adopted—are settled.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary foresee an increase in the turnover tax later this year or early next year?
That is a separate question.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the previous Minister for Finance announced in his Budget statement that he considered it might be advisable to introduce the value-added tax in next year's Budget?
If the Deputy listened to the reply he would know that was included.
Unfortunately the Parliamentary Secretary does not get his ideas across to us as he sees them himself. If he spoke distinctly we might know what he was talking about.
The Parliamentary Secretary is very Napoleonic today.
He might meet his Waterloo tonight.