asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the continuing operations of roadside traders; whether VAT is being paid by them; and, if not, the steps he is taking to recover it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Roadside Traders.
1.
I am aware of the continuing operations of roadside traders. All possible steps are being taken by the Revenue Commissioners to ensure that they account for VAT when the law requires them to do so. The Deputy will appreciate the inherent difficulties involved in ensuring full compliance by traders who have no fixed place of business.
I went to the trouble of inquiring in my constituency over the weekend and I find that there are 19 different centres where these roadside traders have set up. Many of them have announced that they have come for the whole summer period, and does the Minister consider it fair that shopkeepers who are paying taxes, rates and VAT should have to compete with all these problems against this element in ordinary commercial life?
The Deputy will appreciate that my responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Revenue Commissioners relate to VAT, income tax and the enforcement of the customs laws and I have no responsibility beyond that. I can say that a number of the roadside traders are, in fact, themselves shopkeepers and registered for VAT purposes. Others have been visited and in certain cases are now registered for VAT. In others, the figures shown were not in excess of the registration limit and, accordingly, such persons could not be registered for VAT, but the Deputy may be assured of my anxiety and the determination of the Revenue Commissioners to see to it that the tax laws are fully respected by persons trading in this fashion.
I think the Minister is either fooling himself or trying to fool the House. Is he aware that these people are not paying any taxes whatever but are gaining every benefit by drawing the dole and unemployment benefit as well? They are not paying any taxes whatever and most of the goods being sold are imported illegally.
The Deputy is making a number of sweeping statements. I might have suppositions about what is occurring, but I can state for a fact that a number of the traders covered by this description are registered for VAT and are, in fact, paying VAT.
Does the Minister have any record of the number of roadside traders there are and those of whom he may have a record who are paying VAT?
I have not.
Can the Minister say——
I am calling Question No. 2. I have allowed the Deputy quite some discretion on this question—a final supplementary from the Deputy.
I was sent by people who are paying taxes, income tax and VAT, and I want to ensure that they are in a fair market and not in competition with these people.
We cannot debate the matter today—a final supplementary from the Deputy.
Will the Minister ensure that every roadside trader who is operating from a caravan—most of them are itinerants and not paying VAT—pays VAT in proportion to what the shopkeepers for the same sales are paying?
The Revenue Commissioners have the responsibility of enforcing the tax laws of this country, not the Minister, but they are aware, because I have communicated it to them, of my own strong desire that all persons liable to pay VAT and other taxes will pay them and I would expect the Revenue Commissioners to take all steps necessary to ensure that that happens.
If it is going to be done, it should also be seen to be done.