Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)

I am glad of the opportunity to contribute. I too compliment all the traders from Kerry and from all around the country who were outside the gates of Leinster House yesterday to highlight their concerns about what has been happening. The fact that VAT has not been reduced to 9% is ensuring that more places will close, following those that have already closed. That is what the Government of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party is trying to do. By not reducing the VAT rate, the Government is ensuring that more businesses will close - full stop. That is it. People around the country have Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party to thank for that.

Hotels and guesthouses have been filled with refugees, including Ukrainians, and that is causing a reduction in footfall. I ask the Minister of State not to shake his head. The cost of electricity is increasing. Every day since Bord na Móna was closed, the cost of electricity has gone up. Rates have doubled, tripled or quadrupled under this regime. The Government is ensuring that labour costs are going up. Fuel and food are costing more and the Government is not recognising that. It is still insisting it will not reduce the VAT rate. I will tell the Minister of State one thing - the people of Kerry will remind the Government of that on the doorsteps.

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