Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is fine to talk about the average, but the headline room costs are what will grab people's attention and they are doing the reputational damage. As Mr. Kelly mentioned earlier in response to questions following his opening statement, there is going to be a deterioration in how people view Ireland in regard to its value for money. Mr. O'Mara Walsh referred to increasing costs for hotels and mentioned a west Cork hotel. I think I know the hotel he was talking about, where food prices increased by 20%, linen costs by 40% and insurance costs by 25%. Indeed, ESB prices have doubled, yet these hotels are not price gouging. In that hotel, a room can be booked for €150, not €500, €600 or €700. Dublin hotels are doing significant reputational damage, which will have an impact on areas such as west Cork. In fact, it is a double whammy for west Cork because the hotel and hospitality sector, which has increased its prices in line with energy and the cost of doing business, is going to experience reputational damage, while the punter from west Cork who is travelling to Dublin for a gig or a match will have to pay these €500, €600 or €700 prices.

Does Mr. Fenn understand that this has to stop?