Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The St. Patrick’s Day festivities last week kick-started the tourism and hospitality season for many operators. They have had a torrid time over the past two years. Hopefully this will be a good year. There are many pressures on them, particularly those relating to inflation and staffing shortages. The return of the higher rate of VAT is looming in the distance. In the context of the inflationary situation we are in and the difficulties the industry faces, can we make an early decision on keeping the 9% rate of VAT beyond September? It would add fuel to the inflationary fire if we revert to the 13.5% rate in September.

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