Border firms and VAT enforcement
Wilson says Border-area suppliers face lower costs in the Six Counties and alleges some imported materials avoid VAT. Tully says EU rules limit action against cross-border trade and advises reporting suspected VAT evasion through another channel.
Does the Minister realise that as far as the companies supplying the building industry in the Border areas are concerned they are in a particularly difficult position because machinery, transport and oil are cheaper in the Six Counties? Does he further realise that a great deal of material is being brought into the Donegal/Cavan/Monaghan/Louth area without paying value-added tax?
Comment on this
As the Deputy is aware, we are in the EEC and so are the Six Counties. Therefore, the action which could normally be taken against those firms for bringing goods across the Border can no longer be taken. If the Deputy has evidence that firms are importing certain materials on which they should pay value-added tax and are not paying it, he should not report them to me. There is another way of dealing with this matter and I suggest the Deputy take it up.