Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is a hard ball to juggle. Some parts of the country, such as Dublin, are doing well and hotels are flying. Unfortunately, hotels down the country have struggled. The 9% VAT rate needs to be left in place. The Department needs to come up a system which deals with areas where hotels are filled to capacity, such as in Dublin where those looking for hotel bed cannot get them. On the other hand, bus loads of people could be brought into hotels every night of the week in other parts of Ireland and plenty of beds would be available. It is a problem. The Minister had to leave the rate at 9%, but we have an opportunity to make sure we deal with areas of major economic growth where hotel beds are full.

The Department will be able to tell that to the Minister. One cannot just raise it right around the country, which is why I oppose the amendment.

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