Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for that. I will deal with a few other questions. Deputy Troy and other Deputies asked about the hotel capacity and the accommodation. The accommodation situation is one which is constantly raised in terms of whether we have looked at it properly and accurately. I believe we have done that. Fáilte Ireland commissioned an assessment of the supply and demand for hotel accommodation in Dublin, which reflects the position up to December 2016. Although the results confirm the current shortage, to which a large number of Deputies referred, and there is a current shortage - let us be honest about it - it also indicates there should be sufficient stock, whether being developed currently or being planned, to meet projected demand in the future. The bulk of new stock is due to come on stream after 2018, with an estimated 6,000 rooms added by the end of 2020. We are confident that in the time available to us we will be able - it will be up to my successor and maybe his or her successor as well - to follow this through and project forward to provide a sufficient number of hotel rooms. We have got the warnings we have of this sort, but I do not believe there is too much danger. I will not give too many hostages to fortune, but because we have got the warning and should have the prescience, I believe we will be able to provide the hotel rooms. Currently, there is a problem.

Deputy Boyd Barrett rightly asked about the 9% VAT rate. I am not sure that is particularly germane to the subject, but it is important to address it. The 9% VAT rate was introduced for a very good reason. It was to help the hospitality sector, which would be so important within the tourism sector. It helps the smaller restaurants and the smaller hospitality areas as well. Of course there are some people who get greater advantage from it than others. There are some people and institutions who will give us cause to examine this from time to time. It has given a great stimulus to smaller businesses. It has given employment to smaller businesses. That is a great success, but the large hotels in Dublin should not be allowed to milk that situation excessively. I take the Deputy's point, which is very important.

On ticket prices, it is fair to say that the ticket model has a range of ticket prices that will make them affordable to all. Our projections, and I cannot give the Deputies all the details of that for commercial reasons, are based on ticket prices that are substantially lower than those charged in England in 2015.

I want to make a general point on costs. The extensive study of costs has been ongoing since 2013. This is not some sort of new fly-by-night, ill-considered project. It has come to the House for the first time now, but this has been considered since 2012. It was open to us at any stage between 2012 and now to pull out and to look at the possible projections. The figures have been examined by highly reputable international companies without axes to grind. They have been examined by working groups from here and been revised generally and regularly. It would be absurd to say this is sudden. It is a sudden appearance in the Dáil, but the idea that in some way the nation is unprepared for this project is utterly misleading. I do not believe anyone wanted to give that impression, but that might be the impression given by the tone of some of the contributions.

On transport links, that point was made and it is fair. The demands on infrastructure will be great at the time. There are probably gaps in the infrastructure. The National Transport Authority, NTA, has been involved at all stages in this project. By 2023, because of the capital review and the commitments we have made to transport, we are very optimistic that the transport, road and rail infrastructure will be greatly improved. There is no doubt that at the moment transport is inadequate and that the capital is lacking, but we are confident that we will provide infrastructure which will be more than sufficient to transport people around the country at that time.

I will answer one or two questions raised by Deputy Ryan.

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