The Irish Marine Federation has called on the Government to respond to last weekend's drowning tragedy by exempting life-jackets and other water-safety items from VAT.
The federation was reacting to the sinking of the Pisces off the coast of Co Wexford with the deaths of five anglers. None of the 10 people on board was wearing a life-jacket.
The federation says that dropping the 21 per cent VAT on safety equipment would encourage safe boating and also save the Exchequer money in the long run.
"The State takes in less than €1 million each year in tax receipts on this gear. Yet the cost of search-and-rescue missions, many of them sent out for people without safety equipment, is far greater," said Mr Donal McClement, spokesman on safety for the IMF. Mr McClement said that safety equipment was expensive, but it could be more affordable by zero-rating for VAT.
The Government needed to introduce such a "carrot" to accompany the "stick" of new safety regulations on boats which come into force next June.
There was no point in introducing a law forcing people to wear life-jackets when there were so few resources available to police it, he added. "On the roads, it has taken us 15 years to get to the point where 55 per cent of people wear seat-belts, so you can't expect miracles overnight on the water."
The federation campaigned about five years ago to have VAT removed, but without success. Its stance on the issue is supported by the Irish Sailing Association. The Government would have to seek a derogation from the EU before it could alter VAT rates.
