andMr. M. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the proposals, if any, he has for the removal of VAT on hurleys in the 1987 budget.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - VAT on Hurleys.
9.
The 1987 budget proposals will be revealed to the Deputies on budget day.
(Interruptions.)
I will remove the VAT from hurleys.
(Interruptions.)
The Minister's reply is very unworthy of his office.
Has the Deputy a question?
In view of the immense contribution the GAA have made to our social and cultural heritage over 100 years, surely the Minister can give some idea if he is prepared to remove VAT rather than saying it is going to be or that it may or may not be implemented. I do not think the Minister is going to introduce the budget but he should give some recognition to the worthwhile contribution of the GAA over the years.
I heartily acknowledge the contribution made by the GAA to national life. As the Minister who was responsible for sport for four years along with my predecessor and my successors in the office of Minister for Education and other offices holding responsibilities we have made substantial sums of money available to the GAA. It is fair to say that the fact that the standard of dressing rooms and other facilities at GAA clubs is so much better now than it was 15 years ago is in no small measure due to the substantial sums of money allocated to the GAA by successive Governments involving substantial amounts of tax-payer's money. Any complaints the GAA might have about the imposition of taxes on them should be seen against the background of the very substantial investment successive Governments have made in the GAA and in particular in creating a situation where players can now change in modern dressing rooms in most clubs where 15 to 20 years ago they had to change at the back of a ditch.
I understand that under the conditions of the EC for cultural and sporting events VAT can be put aside. I presume the Minister will take that into consideration and that he will also take into consideration the removal of rates from playing fields and dressing rooms, which would be of great benefit to the community.
That is not the responsibility of this Minister.
I promise that I will do it.
The Deputy is very confident. He might be surprised.