Dáil debates

Thursday, 22 September 2022

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

 

12:50 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Dillon for raising this matter. The 9% VAT rate will remain in place, at least until the end of February. Any decision on extending it would be made either on budget day or at a later point. That is a matter under consideration. I had a chance to visit Kerry with Deputy Griffin on Friday and I met with some of the people involved in the hotel business and the tourism industry. I had the chance to do the same in Kilkenny only a few weeks ago. I do not agree with the charge that all or most hotels are engaged in price-gouging. I do not think that is true even in Dublin. It may be that a small number of hotels in the city centre that took advantage of a couple of busy weekends and sold the last couple of rooms at a ridiculous price. In doing so, they have done reputational harm to the industry. I have never believed in collective punishment and I do not think the fact that some hotels may have behaved in that way should be the main reason we make any decision on this matter.

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