Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome all our guests. I thank them for taking the time to be with us and for their contributions. It has been a very tough two years, and it is encouraging to see the industry in general begin to rebuild. All stakeholders have made huge efforts to keep the industry going over the past two years, but the road ahead is difficult and the uncertainty internationally now is not helping matters either. It is to be hoped, however, that we will get there and get back to the heights we scaled previously.

As for the shortage of labour and the difficulties in the labour market, there has been an absolute reset in the economy and in respect of people's thinking about careers, work-life balance and so on. That can be a threat as well as an opportunity for the hospitality and the general tourism sector. It is about trying to identify the people who want to see a change and who may be considering moving into the sector and trying to grasp that opportunity.

May I ask all the witnesses whether there is a need for an increased and better synergy between all stakeholders and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science? Maybe I am missing something, but I think there needs to be greater contact and greater communication between all the stakeholders and that Department. There may be a key role to play in that regard. I would like to get the witnesses' views on that. Having spoken to the Minister, Deputy Harris, I know he is very enthusiastic about doing what he can. I had him in Killarney just a couple of weeks ago at a meeting with representatives of the hospitality sector to discuss these very issues. He is very enthusiastic to see improvements in the area.

To what extent is the inflation crisis resulting in increased wage demands? Is that now manifesting itself on the front lines? Could Mr. Fenn and Ms Campbell share their experiences from the hotel sector and the restaurant sector? Is that a real issue and a knock-on effect of what we see day in, day out?

How much of a factor is the housing shortage and the difficulties in housing in people not being able to relocate to take up employment? I know we have the permits issue, which is a big problem, but there is also the issue of finding a place to live and making the sums work in that regard. How much of a factor is that? Perhaps the following question is one for Mr. Fenn and Ms Campbell in particular. What measures are hoteliers taking? Are measures being taken to try to address this issue, given that hotels - not always, but in most cases - generally seem to have bigger teams than restaurants? Maybe they could give us some information on that.

The final thing I want to ask about is the Ukraine situation. Is there an industry-wide plan to try to match vacancies in the sector with people coming from Ukraine who want to work in the sector? It would be great if we could get people who are here and who want to begin working as soon as possible matched with vacancies in the sector. That will require a plan, however. It will require practical assistance, in particular with such things as childcare and all the other things that will be needed. What progress, if any, has been made in that regard? Appalling as the situation is, it may be a win-win for the industry and for people who are forced to come here in that they would be able to find employment in a sector that is crying out for labour.

I will leave it to the witnesses to take whichever of those questions they wish to take.