Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I am aware of the problem. I have had some interaction with the Irish Hotels Federation on this issue and it has made that point clear to me. I do not believe it is widespread but the Deputy was right that there are instances where hotels are literally sustaining themselves. They are turning money but are not profitable and are not even covering their costs because of certain protections that exist. That is a concern in regard to the legitimate end of the industry, so to speak, which is struggling to survive, albeit at heavily discounted rates. Such hotels are certainly not making much profit but are hoping to make enough to keep the doors open.

It raises a wider issue of which I am aware in the context of the National Asset Management Agency. A situation cannot arise which would allow unfair competitive practices simply to sustain one block to the destruction of the other. That is an issue I have already voiced and to which I am very alert. We must be very careful in that regard.

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