GOVERNMENT REFUSAL TO REMOVE BOTTLED WATER VAT CRITICISED

Date Published: 19-Jul-2007

A Galway West TD is condemning the Government's refusal to remove the VAT on bottled water sold in Galway. Fine Gael Deputy Padraic McCormack wrote to the Tanaiste and Minister for Finance Brian Cowen at the outset of the water crisis asking him to discontinue the 21 per cent VAT on sales in GalwayHe's claiming the Government is making huge profits on VAT from the sale of water in Galway, despite causing the pollution in the first place by failing to fund sewerage schemes around the Corrib.Minister Cowen replied [17/7] this week saying he wasn't convinced that any removal of VAT would lower retail prices for bottled water.