Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank our witnesses. We have engaged with quite a number of them on different issues over the past year. All of us are interested in having a well-respected, good value tourism industry. I would echo many of Deputy O'Sullivan's concerns. Members of this committee, within our own parliamentary parties and elsewhere, went out on a limb during the Covid period and made specific arguments to support those in the hospitality sector, particularly those of us on the Government back benches. It is becoming increasingly difficult to justify. I do not think it is justifiable for the hotel sector that the 9% VAT rate continue. Quite a number of hotels are now causing serious reputational damage to Ireland's tourism industry. As Deputy O'Sullivan said, we want that message to go back very strongly to the members of the IHF. I heard what Mr. O’Mara Walsh said about rising costs. Every business is facing rising costs, but we know that not every business is increasing its prices to the level we see with some of the hotels, particularly those in Dublin. I know of hotels in Wexford that continue to be good value for money yet what we are seeing is price gouging by some hotels in Dublin.

Mr. Fenn mentioned that the average hotel price in April was €155. What does he reckon the average hotel price will have been for May and June?