Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It was widely reported that the VAT measures introduced some years ago to help tourism and hospitality would be reversed and, unfortunately, that has proven to be the case. Today, the Minister stated that tens of thousands of extra jobs were created in the tourism sector since the measure was introduced in 2011 and that the sector has never supported more employment than it does today. It supports 240,000 jobs and provides balanced regional growth, as the Minister confirmed. Why would the Government threaten this by reversing a measure that was designed to protect and support our tourism sector? It makes no economic sense.

The Minister stated that this increase will allow him to reduce his reliance on other taxes, such as corporation tax, and prevent increases there. The Government wants to increase the costs of local indigenous businesses so that we do not have to increase taxes on companies which pay the lowest rate of corporation tax in the EU.

I was very disappointed when the Minister did not acknowledge the threat of Brexit to the tourism sector, especially along the Border area. There is no doubt that Brexit will be a great challenge to tourism. Now, more than ever, it needs all the support and help to maintain its growth.

Coming from the constituency covering Louth and east Meath, I know better than most the value of a thriving tourism sector. My constituency has some of the best tourist attractions in the country. The Carlingford Peninsula in the north of the county has attractions such as Carlingford village, the Cooley mountains, many walking routes and a new greenway from Carlingford to Omeath.

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