An effective promise to increase energy costs is a bizarre election promise
Fine Gael’s VAT proposals for hospitality would result in increased energy costs for everyone in the country, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore.
“If Fine Gael abolishes the 9% VAT rate, and replaces it with a permanent 11% rate, the energy bills of every single person and business in the country would increase.
“One of the few measures the government took to reduce energy costs, was to apply a lower 9% VAT rate to bills. Now, they are effectively saying that reduced rate should increase.
“Energy bills are already at a record high, having nearly doubled in cost in the past number of years.
“Instead of proposing measures to bring these exorbitant costs down, Fine Gael wants to drive them even higher.
“An effective promise to increase energy costs is one of the most bizarre election promises I have ever heard.
“It really shows that Fine Gael has cobbled together this plan at the last minute and they are grasping at straws.
“The Social Democrats’ plan to support hospitality would bring down the costs for cafes and restaurants – while ensuring households and businesses don’t face higher energy costs.
“We would split hospitality into accommodation and food and apply the reduced 9% rate to food and beverages only. That is a plan that actually makes sense.”