asked the Minister for Finance if, in the light of the representations made to him regarding the serious effect of the turnover tax and wholesale tax on newspapers, he will now consider remitting such taxes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Newspaper Tax.
91.
Under the value-added tax which it is intended to introduce with effect from March 1st, 1972, I propose to apply the rate of 5.26 per cent. to newspapers, the effect of which will be to relieve them of their present liability to wholesale tax with effect from that date. I am not prepared to grant any further relief.
Can the Minister say if added-value tax applies to newspapers anywhere in the Common Market countries?
Yes, it applies in quite a number of countries.
Which ones?
I cannot tell the Deputy offhand but I have mentioned it in the House before.
There is only one country in which this tax applies, so the Minister should let us have facts.
What the Deputy is saying is not so.
In reply to a question of mine, did the Minister not list the various concessions and remissions given by these countries?
I did.
That is a helpful addition to the Minister's reply.
I indicated also that there certainly was at least one country in which this tax was higher than that which we proposed to impose before the change.
There is only one country in which it applies at all.
That is not correct.