Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

The Restaurants Association of Ireland claims that one restaurant closes per day and the evidence for this can be seen in towns and cities all over Ireland. It has also reported that eight in ten restaurants operate at a loss and that 21,000 jobs are at risk. I ask the Minister how she proposes to address the issues it has raised. Food costs are 24% above the EU average and the joint labour committee structure needs to be examined. Restaurant operators have to contend with 27 different statutory and other regulatory bodies. Fine Gael has proposed a number of measures to deal with these issues. Restaurateurs have limited access to credit and are required to pay excessive rates. Can the Minister indicate whether she will introduce budgetary measures to address the challenges facing the restaurant industry?

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