Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We also have to consider that much of our tourism is outside the capital. Much of that industry supports 260,000 jobs. It is one of the most important and significant employers of indigenous industry in the country. I have sought the extension of the lower VAT rate for tourism but, ultimately, that is a decision for the Minister for Finance. As the Deputy knows, all supports needed for the cost-of-living crisis, which was possibly not as significant a feature for this industry last summer as it is now, are currently being reviewed. Any decision made on that will be in the context of the wider supports needed for society. Decisions will be made on that in the coming weeks. I sit on the Cabinet sub-committee that will be briefed on that in the coming weeks.