Relevant Matter
Legislation
Public Policy Area
Taxation
Period
1 Sep, 2018 to 31 Dec, 2018
Specific Details
100% Increase in betting tax introduced in budget 2019, will close hundreds of betting shops and cause thousands of job losses across Ireland, particularly Rural Ireland. This will have; a devastating effect on many families with unnecessary job losses, reduce tax receipts, reduce competition, force customers to bet with online operators, force customers to bet with illegal operators (with no customer protection or age verification processes) in areas where there is no other betting shop
Intended results
Attempt to get the 100% increase in betting tax reversed, so that a fairer tax mechanism could be introduced, which would collect more tax for the exchequer than the proposed 100% increase would have achieved and would save thousands of jobs as a result of this change to the mechanism. Betting tax is unlike all other taxes - it is charged on Turnover despite making a profit or loss and it must be borne by the bookie as it cannot be passed on to customers
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Sharon Byrne
Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?)
No
Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign?
Yes
What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners?
All members were actively encouranged to contact all local political representatives, to outline how a 100% increase would effect them and how many jobs would be lost. To provide them with factual/audited information where available. To encourage employees to contact any politicians they may know to highlight the unintended consequence of the 100% increase. We instigated a nationwide poster campaign and and an online petition. All members were encouraged to continuously promote the severe difficulties the 100% increase would have on their business and the numbers of staff employed. All members were provided with email templates and draft letters to provide to all politicians. They were also encouraged to speak to the media outlining their position.
Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client?
No
Mass communications
Email All Oireachtas Members
All Politicians were sent emails and letters throughout the period before and after the budget. Emails included a report by a Top Irish economist outlining the severe unintended consequences of applying a 100% increase in betting tax. it also shows that bookmakers effective tax rate is over 600% meaning they pay 6 times more in tax than profits made. We also provided copies of audited figures for some members which clearly shows the 100% increase plunges a successful business for over 40 years into a severe loss making situation. This will be replicated across the independent sector if the current 100% remains in place. Other various pieces of information was provided by the IBA summarising the economic activity of bookmakers in Ireland. The emails also requested a meeting to discuss the contents further.
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Meeting (1)
Several politicians were met during this return period to discuss the the severe unintended consequences of applying a 100% increase in betting tax, copies of audited figures for some members were provided which clearly showed how the 100% increase plunges a successful business for over 40 years into a severe loss making situation and various other pieces of information was provided by the IBA summarising the economic activity of bookmakers in Ireland.
Designated public officials lobbied
The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them.
As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.
Anthony Lawlor
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Michael Healy-Rae
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Willie Penrose
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Robert Troy
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Joe Carey
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Damien English
Minister of State (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government)
Michael McGrath
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Alan Farrell
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Michael D’Arcy
Minister of State (Department of Finance)
Finian McGrath
Minister of State (Department of Health)
Kieran O'Donnell
Senator (Seanad)