Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I support this recommendation, although I think a report in six months might be too late for certain areas. I have made the point very forcefully on Committee Stage that while there is merit in increasing the VAT rate to 13.5% for the hotel industry, there is no merit in that type of jump with regard to other areas of the hospitality and tourism sector. The Government is getting wrapped up in its own propaganda. We heard figures about jobs recently, which are to be welcomed in respect of the number of people in employment. This is a tribute to those entrepreneurs and workers who made such a success of it.

The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection tweeted "a job for everybody who wants one", which was a huge insult to many people in my constituency. More than 10,600 people in my constituency are on the live register. It goes to the fact that the Government does not understand the regions and does not understand that not every place is booming and thriving to the same degree as other parts of the country. The Minister owes an apology to the people who are busting their gut trying to seek employment, travelling long distances for interviews and sending in CVs. For the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to make such a derogatory comment and suggest that in some way they are lazy and do not want a job goes to the heart of it.

In many rural communities such as those in Donegal, services such as hairdressers, barbers or the local pubs that provide a bit of food on the side are now seeing a sudden jump from the 9% rate to 13.5%. This is not justified. As I said to the Minister, a more appropriate way to bring this in would be to introduce it in increments and allow for it to be absorbed by the industry as opposed to overnight. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien has told me about what is being played out in Cork in an area I would not have considered so much, namely, the effects on those planning to marry next year. These people have booked their accommodation and have their bills and budget for their wedding, which is the most important day of their life, and are now getting calls from hotels saying they have to put another €500 on the bill thanks to the Minister, Deputy Donohoe. The hairdressers that are booked are also saying that they have to increase the cost, along with the make-up and all the rest.

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