asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the exemption from wholesale and turnover taxes of racing rowing boats specifically imported or purchased in Ireland by rowing clubs for sporting purposes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Racing Rowing Boats.
8.
I am not prepared to introduce a concession on the lines suggested by the Deputy.
I am sorry, I did not hear the Minister.
The answer is "No".
May I put it to the Minister that the non-exemption of rowing clubs is causing considerable hardship to them? One example is that recently a club had to pay some £250 to bring in two boats and a youth organisation found the penalty of paying wholesale and turnover tax on sporting goods quite excessive. Could the Minister not give some exemption?
The question of any exemptions from these taxes is a very difficult one indeed. It gives rise to all sorts of considerations regarding priorities. One has a great deal of symapthy with sporting and athletic clubs generally in these matters but turnover tax applies to many of the necessaries of life——
As we know.
True enough.
——and it would be anomalous to exempt recreational articles and still retain the tax on necessaries.