Richard Cooney’s concern at vitamin VAT increase in March

RICHARD Cooney (pictured), who is the Fianna Fail Rural candidate in the forthcoming local elections, came out strongly this week objecting to the proposed increase of 23% increase in VAT from March 1st 2019 on all Vitamins, Probiotic & Food Supplements. Supplements, which he says, have been VAT free for the last 40 years!

He goes on to say; “On 1st March a Supplement which once cost €10 will jump to €12.30, hitting our pockets in our effort to maintain good health. This is a sly move by the government to slap this charge on health food supplements which are vital to many peoples’ lives”.

He goes on to point out that the recent Dail debate on the implementation of this charge reflected badly on Taoiseach, Leo Varadker, who dismissed vitamins, probiotics and food supplements as having no effect on health issues.

He says; “these are health choices and to penalise people who purchase these supplementary foods by putting an unjust tax on them is unfair”.

Cooney went on to say; “We should support the health products industry that have launched a campaign to appeal to the Revenue Commissioners and the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe to defer the application of this 23% VAT on Food Supplements on the 1st of March 2019, so as to allow the Government time to take advice and legislate. However, the industry alone is unlikely to be heeded. I would therefore also call on all consumers to make their opinions heard on this matter by contacting their TDs and ask for their support on this important consumer health initiative”.