The Report Stage amendments to the Finance Bill in the main are technical and minor. Among the substantive changes is an extension to the Mid Shannon Tourism Infrastructure scheme.
The Dail will debate five sets of Report Stage amendments tomorrow and Wednesday, 9 and 10 March, but without pre-empting the process, it is likely that only those amendments tabled by the Minister for Finance will find their way into the Finance Bill. The Minister’s amendments include:
Mid Shannon Tourism Infrastructure Scheme: The qualifying period is extended by two years, from 31 May 2013 to 31 May 2015, subject to a commencement order by the Minister for Finance. This latter condition is possibly prompted by a need to secure EU approval under the State Aid rules. This particular tax incentive has not been conspicuously successful. While not wishing to look gift horses in the mouth, it is unlikely that a simple extension without any enhancements to the scheme will make it more attractive.
VAT for Local Authorities and Public Bodies: A recent ECJ case obliged Ireland to oblige its local authorities to be accountable persons and charge VAT on the provision of certain services where private operators, charging VAT, could compete. Provisions in Finance Bill 2010 make this change, but the Report Stage amendment ensures that some services will only be so affected by Ministerial Order. These are the supply of “community facilities” - the hiring of halls, meeting rooms, grounds and other facilities of a similar nature to non-profit making sporting, cultural, social and community organisations, along with the supply of sports facilities (except for golfing, but pitch and putt, apparently, is OK).
VAT on Greenhouse Gas Emission allowances – these will be treated in certain circumstances under the reverse charge rules.
An early draft on the Oireachtas website of the Report Stage amendments sponsored by the Minister contained an amendment to the NAMA legislation. This would have significantly curtailed NAMA’s entitlement to obtain information from Revenue. The amendment does not feature in the finalised list of Report Stage amendments.