Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will have a full response when I get a chance to respond. All things are taken into full and frank consideration because the Government recognises the importance not just of tourism but also the hospitality sector for the economy and the tens of thousands of people it employs directly across the country. The Deputies opposite have cited the Restaurants Association of Ireland. I have met its representatives three times in this brief and half a dozen times in my previous brief to discuss this issue and a number of others, including the progress of their members in getting their insurance costs down. In response to Deputy Collins, I have met the VAT 9 group a number of times. I met its representatives with newly elected councillor Noel O'Donovan at Eastertime. I was in The Fish Basket in Owenahincha, which the Deputy knows well. I had a good discussion with Peter Shanahan about this very issue. I was in contact with them again last night. I look forward to having a deputation meeting with them in this role as I had previously in my role in the Department of enterprise. I fully understand their concerns.

I have also been fortunate to meet the Vintners' Federation of Ireland, the Licensed Vintners Association, the Irish Hotels Federation, the self-catering accommodation groups and other groups independent of the representative bodies to discuss this very issue and the wider issues impacting the sector, knowing full well the importance of these businesses to the very fabric of society. They welcome guests to the country and we go to them with our own families. I had a number of very enjoyable days in west Cork just last Easter and I look forward to returning there in four weeks. Perhaps Deputy Collins might show me a bit of his hospitality. I am happy to visit any of the local hospitality businesses.

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