Dáil debates

Wednesday, 6 May 2020

Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements

 

4:10 pm

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With regard to "Normal People", my father comes from Tubbercurry where much of it was filmed, and I like to think we are all normal people down there.

Deputy Harkin will agree with me that one aspect we need to look at is that approximately 90% of businesses in Sligo are tourism-related. I found it incredible that one hotel was paying between €75,000 and €175,000 in rates a year. This is absolutely enormous. Sometimes as politicians we do not fully grasp the tourism industry. Not alone does it provide employment, bring people to the regions and make us all feel very proud but it also makes a contribution to local authorities through rates. It is wonderful. The amount paid by the hotel was exorbitant. If these hotels and tourism businesses are not supported, the loss to the taxpayer and local authorities will be significant. The contribution they are making really struck me.

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