Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I absolutely appreciate the value of the 9% hospitality rate and the help it can offer to the hospitality sector. I understand that 9% is the rate that can have the biggest effect.

The timing of this relates to the fact that it will be a significant move. If a move is made - and my view is that when we decide the scope of that move, it should be concentrated on the food and catering sector - its overall cost in a full year will be €675 million. That is a very big decision to make. Decisions of that scale should be confined to budget day. In recent years we have had to make many significant decisions outside of the normal budgetary process. Doing that is no longer appropriate in the context of where we are now because of all the risks around us.

I understand the value of the 9% rate. My view is that it should be concentrated on those parts of the economy where it can deliver the biggest benefit. Because of the scope and scale, however, it needs to be a decision that is made on budget day.

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