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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 30 Oct 1969

Vol. 241 No. 13

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tax Exemptions for Publications.

44.

andMr. G. Lynch asked the Minister for Finance if he will now consider granting exemption from turnover tax and wholesale tax in respect of newspapers, magazines and periodicals in view of the serious burden being placed on the industries concerned.

In present circumstances I could not consider exempting newspapers, magazines and periodicals from turnover tax and wholesale tax.

Is the Minister aware that many magazines on sale in this country bear on the cover the retail price in Britain, Australia and various other countries but here in this country the retail price is not displayed because the retailer has to add on the turnover and wholesale tax? Would he ensure that such magazines, newspapers and periodicals on sale here bear the correct retail price, including turnover and wholesale tax, on the cover to enable the public to know exactly what they are paying?

I would say, first of all, that that would be a matter for the Minister for Industry and Commerce under the Merchandise Marks Act or some other Act of that sort.

Would it be possible for the Minister to take it up with the Minister for Industry and Commerce?

For my good friend the Deputy I would certainly be prepared to take it up with the Minister.

I am glad to know I have at least one friend in the Government.

Does the Minister not agree that he has created a precedent by exempting certain magazines?

I have certainly done that.

Was there any particular reason why the Minister did that?

Because these magazines could not have survived if we had not done that. They were mainly of a cultural or religious nature.

Of a cultural nature?

They would simply have disappeared if they had to pay tax.

Is it included in the Act that magazines for cultural purposes can be exempted—not necessarily magazines for religious purposes?

I am not sure.

I understood that religious magazines only were exempt. I was informed by the Minister's advisers in the Department that religious magazines only were exempt.

I regard religious publications as cultural.

It is not the only form. May I ask the Minister if——

Question No. 45. We cannot spend the whole day on this question.

It is very interesting.

Does the imposition of wholesale and turnover tax on magazines not contravene some international regulation regarding educational publications?

It does not?

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