VAT’S just typical of Fine Gael
THE Budget had one aspect to it which really pissed me off. The rise of 4.5% in VAT for the hospitality sector. We have a restaurant in the castle so I do know what I’m talking about – which is more than I can say about either the Taoiseach or Finance Minister.
The restaurant trade is highly price sensitive and the margins are thin. To introduce such a blunt instrument with so much uncertainty surrounding Brexit is just plain stupid.
Paschal Donohoe trots out the lame excuse that the 9% rate was a temporary measure but look at the results.
The sector is now thriving so the answer to this business-hostile Government is put that in jeopardy.
I will leave the last words to Road Hauliers president Verona Murphy who called this administration an “idiocracy”.
And what of the most glaring and appalling omission from the Budget – not even a stab at a carbon tax. The Government is currently
Mr Donohoe putting a great deal of effort behind trying to secure a seat on the UN Security Council and yet they are displaying a woeful disregard for the greatest threat to mankind.
They have to look no further than one of our most distinguished former presidents Mary Robinson, who in September published a book aptly called Climate Justice.
Her interest in the subject was inspired by holding her first grandchild in her arms in 2003. A sentiment I share.
In essence there is nothing wrong with devoting additional funds to housing and health. However, I get a sinking feeling when I see dangers in making the same mistake of simply throwing money at the problem.
Unfortunately I have had to engage directly with the Health Service and I have nothing but high praise for the front line staff. Yet at the same time I have listened carefully to what I have been told. It is not just a question of hard cash. Management must be reformed.