Mr. Donall O'Keeffe:

Our international efforts are focused on our participation in COG. Ms Gillian Knight, who is the LVA's HR professional, is a member of two of the working groups. As the Deputy is aware, the LVA is involved in the working group that supports the industry to access staff from European markets because it is around the selection of which market has the best potential, which involves looking at the labour markets in those countries. The LVA is also involved in the working group that supports Ukrainian people in Ireland who wish to work in the hospitality sector, and we are working with Fáilte Ireland and COG to identify the barriers in that instance. That is where our primary focus lies in terms of international staff.

For non-EU staff, and I think this point has been made by everybody in the hospitality sector, the visa process needs to be re-examined. For example, there is a requirement to have a job advertised for four weeks. To then get an applicant and then process the visa is not a practical response for a business that needs a chef or senior manager this week or month.