Michael Finucane
Question:277 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the removal of VAT from fishing equipment which would help the tourism angling area. [23844/98]
Written Answers - Value Added Tax.
Fishing equipment for tourism angling is currently liable to VAT at the standard rate of 21 per cent. Under the EU Sixth VAT Directive, with which Irish VAT law must comply, it is prohibited for member states to introduce new zero rates and member states may only retain the zero rates they had in place on 1 January 1991. Accordingly, it is not open to me to zero rate fishing equipment for tourism angling.
Likewise we are prohibited from applying a lower rate of VAT to an item not listed under annex H of this directive or which were on a reduced rate on 1 January 1991. Since none of these conditions apply in the case of tourism angling equipment, it is not now open to the Government to vary the VAT treatment in this case.