VAT Rates Application

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 June 2013

Thursday, 27 June 2013

Questions (102)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

102. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 86 of 20 June 2013, and his contention that he is unable to amend VAT rules to deal with the loss of VAT associated with the below-cost selling of alcohol, the discussions, if any, he has had with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, to seek to maximise VAT revenues from this source by the reintroduction of the groceries order in respect of alcohol products. [31367/13]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

With regard to the reintroduction of the groceries order on alcohol, I am informed by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation that prices in Ireland are generally not subject to control. Pricing strategies are therefore a matter for individual retailers and licensees and are the normal outcome of the competitive process. In this respect, I understand that the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has no plans to reintroduce a groceries order in respect of alcohol or any other product.