Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail)
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Mr. O’Mara Walsh spoke about a possible increase in prices and said with retention of strong value, this would not have an impact on the sector. That is not what he told the committee only a couple of short weeks ago when he said an increase in VAT prices would have a detrimental impact on the sector. We cannot have it both ways. That is a point I consistently make at this committee.

I know Mr. O’Mara Walsh cannot say what his members will do individually but, equally, he cannot argue that it is okay if prices go up because we have a strong value product, having stated a few weeks ago that he did not want the Government to increase VAT because it would lead to an increase in the price of hotel rooms. He spoke about the supply issue being one of the contributing factors. Mr. Kelly clarified that in Dublin we are moving from having 22,500 bedrooms to having 26,000 bedrooms. That is a great deal more tractors and crane going back into the field this year to ensure there is a levelling out of the beds on offer. Mr. O’Mara Walsh might accept that.