VAT voxpop
With VAT having risen to 23 per cent, we asked members of the public what they thought of it and how it will affect them?
Brigid Flanagan, Dromiskin Food hasn't gone up so it hasn't affected me much as I don't have many expences. I never shop in Northern Ireland.
Bridie Maxwell, Weirhope, Drogheda I don't really know what sort of things it's going on, so I'm not sure if I will be badly hit but any increase on anything at the moment is bound to have a bad affect. I'm not one for buying luxury goods - as long as the clothes in Penneys or Dunnes Stores don't go up too much, I won't mind.
Carolyn Solanke, Slane These are harsh times for everyone and the Government needs to realise we are skint and can't take anymore. My husband is in the service industry and hopefully it won't affect how consumers spend too much and people won't start losing their jobs because of an increase in VAT.
William Collins, Mell It's just one thing after another, isn't it? When are they going to stop? Thank God I haven't smoked in ten years so I won't notice the extra on the fags but it will stop people going out for the odd pint or two, I think. John Williams, Sandyford Terrace, Drogheda This increase is going to affect everyone, I don't think anyone is going to escape. I feel sorry for kids though because I can't help thinking that if parents are strapped for cash because of the increases, the first thing to go will be after-school activities like sports, which is the last thing we need. Lesley Fee, Ruby Nu, The Marshes Shopping Centre, Dundalk It's a small increase and a lot of shops like ourselves are absorbing the 2 per cent difference and are not passing it on to customers. I've also noticed quite a lot of shoppers from Northern Ireland coming down here now. Deanna Carvin, Ballsgrove, Drogheda We'll all be hit in the pockets once again, but the way I look at it, what's the point in worrying, as it won't change a thing, and we'll still have to pay. I'm trying hard to give up the cigarettes, and it might help now they are a little dearer.
Kathleen Matthews, Smarmore, Ardee It's a disaster like everything else and it certainly should encourage me to go shopping in the North.'
Richard Hammond, Bettystown I'm not very happy about it but it's like all the other increases. They are shaking the tree every time they can to get money out of it. I'm sure it would encourage people to go to Northern Ireland, not that I ever have.
Adrienne Murray, Dundalk and Dublin I would think twice about buying something and ask if I really need it before I bought it.
Noel Curtis, Avenue Road, Dundlak It won't help the town in any way and it might encourage some people to go shopping in Northern Ireland but personally I wouldn't go.
