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

The Minister, Deputy Coveney, and I co-chair the hospitality and tourism forum. We are convening a meeting next week with all the stakeholders. I suspect the 9% VAT rate will be one of the issues that arises in that meeting. I have made it clear that I am in favour of the extension of the lower rate of VAT for the tourism and hospitality sector. The decision ultimately lies with the Minister for Finance, but I have made clear my position on it. I am acutely conscious of the challenges the sector is facing, including cost inflation and economic uncertainty in key tourism markets. I am also aware our necessary humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine has impacted on the availability of tourism accommodation. I will continue to work with the Minister for Finance and Cabinet colleagues in the coming weeks.

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