Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise with the Taoiseach the need for additional supports for the tourism and hospitality sector. Operators in this sector are having a really difficult time. I acknowledge the supports that have been put in place to date but much more is needed. We also need to send out a very strong signal from Government through the extension of the period for which the 9% VAT rate will apply. It is really important that, as more and more people in our communities are vaccinated - and I congratulate everyone involved in that exceptional work - we give an opportunity to the tourism and hospitality sector to safely engage with vaccinated customers, many of whom have a lot of pent-up spending power after the last 12 months, to try to turn the benefit of the vaccination programme into an economic benefit, particularly for the tourism and hospitality sector.

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