Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. I am concerned about any potential reputational damage to Ireland. We must be seen as a value for money destination so that people would want to return. Neither my Department or Fáilte Ireland have any role in setting the prices for accommodation. Commercial decisions such as pricing are the sole responsibility of business owners. I would continue to urge accommodation providers to be mindful of that longer-term picture with regard to competitiveness and value for money.

I believe the distorting effect of the pandemic makes it too difficult, as I have said, to robustly analyse the long-term supply versus the demands to meet currently.

Reference was made to Europe. Our hotel occupancy in Dublin is now one of the highest in Europe. It is driven by a range of factors, some of which are short term. I believe that in Dublin we have been running at 10% above Paris, Amsterdam and London in recent weeks. That shows the demand that is there. Pricing is, ultimately, a commercial decision for each business. We do not have a role in that but I would urge accommodation providers to be very mindful of the need to attract tourists back. I believe that what is happening now is probably due to the pent-up demand from the past two years.

On the costs of car rental and the issues with the Dublin Airport Authority, of course I am aware of these. The DAA issue is an operational matter for it. It may be more for my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan.

On the car rental costs I have no remit there but I have had-----

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