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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Concrete levy debate

Summary

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae argued the proposed concrete levy was damaging the concrete industry, exporters and home builders, and sought a full Dáil debate. The chair cut him off for time and he reiterated the uncertainty faced by the sector.

The tax on concrete products proposed in the budget has created a major problem in the concrete production industry in Kerry and throughout the country. This includes the export industry for concrete products. If the Government is doing a U-turn in the finance Bill, there should be a full and open debate in the Dáil this week to clarify and rectify the harm it has done to this hardworking sector. Young couples going about building their homes were hurt and horrified when they heard that the Government wanted to increase the costs of the concrete products for their homes. Local authorities were left reeling as there was and is great uncertainty about what the Government is actually going to do. I ask that the Government scrap its concrete tax proposal, and not just fiddle with it in the finance Bill, in order to give certainty to this hardworking sector and to the people affected by its proposal in the budget. These are people who want to build their homes.

Comment on this
Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

I thank the Deputy but we are over time.

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The proposed concrete levy has affected costings that were being done for builds. People have been left reeling by the uncertainty the Government has created.

Comment on this
Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

I thank the Deputy. Deputy Gannon is next.

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