'Vat reduction not the answer': Michael McGrath doubles down on hospitality rate

It follows comments from the Taoiseach who recently said that a rate split was 'technically possible and warranted consideration'

Asked if he was open to considering changes later this year, Mr McGrath said the Budget was “a long way away” and that he did not want to raise expectations about what can or cannot be done in October. Photograph: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

Finance Minister Michael McGrath has doubled down on comments made last week stating that he would not revisit the contentious Vat rate for hospitality, despite recent comments from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that a rate split was “technically possible and warranted consideration.” 

Speaking in Cork city on Friday morning, Mr McGrath reiterated that there were “no plans” to change the rate of Vat this year, despite calls from Fine Gael representatives for a lower tax rate on food services.