Aquatic centre ‘fiasco’ blamed on Revenue

The “bizarre” inability of the Revenue Commissioners to understand complex tax laws was blamed for the Government becoming involved in a lengthy legal battle over the National Aquatic Centre.

The Department of Sport told the Dáil Public Accounts Committee that legal action taken by the State to seek VAT payment from the centre’s operator was based on guidelines supplied by Revenue.

The dispute arose when the department sought the payment of €10.25m on VAT by Dublin Waterworld Ltd, which had entered into a lease to operate the aquatic centre.