Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As a former Minister for tourism, I was heavily involved in the sector at the time. I do not believe the measure contributed to a change in working circumstances or incomes in the sector. Given where we were in the economic cycle, it played a positive role in the creation and retention of jobs. I will now examine the economic evidence surrounding that tax rate and, as with every other rate, decide what is appropriate. At the point it was introduced, it did not play a role in the deterioration of income for those working in the sector.

My contention would be that the opposite happened.