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

I speak in support of the amendment. The hospitality sector in Ireland has two parts. While I am not saying it is has not picked up everywhere and it is doing well in the major cities, unfortunately, especially during the week, there is a problem filling beds and in the food sector in many parts of the country. The increase in the VAT rate for the sector will have an adverse effect and the amendment makes a reasonable request to assess the impact of the measure. Such an assessment would give us a good guide, although the level of revenue from the sector will also give us a guide.

We need to be mindful that many areas of the country are only starting to recover. The recovery in Dublin has been much faster and many parts of the country are not experiencing the recovery that Dublin has experienced.

Different ideas, such as bed taxes, were floated. I understand that the large cities and other areas have done well, but there may also be small businesses that are struggling. It is imperative that we undertake this assessment to ensure we do not leave anybody behind or close doors. At the end of the day, the hospitality sector pays rates, VAT and taxes and, most important, employs people. We do not want to put pressure on the sector again.

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