Results 3,841-3,860 of 10,556 for speaker:Niamh Smyth

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: Today, we are meeting representatives of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, RAI, the Irish Hotel Federation and Fáilte Ireland to discuss skills shortages and working conditions in the tourism and hospitality sector. I extend a very big fáilte to all our guests. On behalf of the committee, I warmly welcome Mr. Mark McGowan, president, and Mr. Adrian Cummins, chief executive...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: I thank Mr. Cummins for his statement. Undoubtedly, it will attract many questions from my colleagues. Next, I call Mr. Tim Fenn.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: I thank Mr. Fenn for his comprehensive presentation to the committee today. I invite Mr. Kelly of Fáilte Ireland to make his opening statement.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: If I may interrupt Mr. Kelly, I ask that he bring his opening remarks to a conclusion as he has gone way over his time. I am sure we will get to extract the other points out of his presentation.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: I thank our witnesses for their opening statements.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: We have run out of time in this slot. Can Mr. Cummins be brief in his response to Deputy Munster?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: I thank Deputy Munster for her line of questioning.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: I thank Deputy Mythen for his questions. I will now go back to Senator Cassells, who has joined us again. I welcome Senator Carrigy as well.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: It will have to be very brief.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: I think there is competition going on here.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: I am only joking.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: I thank Senator Murphy for his contribution. It has finally come around to my turn. We have gone through a lot at this stage and I do not want to go over what has already been said. I thank Fáilte Ireland, and Mr. Kelly in particular, for the work it has done around the rebranding piece. Cavan has finally been brought into the Hidden Heartlands scheme. There was a concern about...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: That would be helpful

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: Would that all come under the Minister, Deputy Harris's, Department? The SOLAS piece definitely would.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: Okay. On foot of what I have just said, I will bring in Mr. McGowan because he is walking the walk as well as talking the talk in the sense that it sounds crippling for people in his position working 70 hours per week and trying to do everything. What three actions could the Government take tomorrow morning to make the impossible possible for what he is trying to achieve?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: We will cover that in our letter to the Minister, Deputy Martin. Is there anything else?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: That came through loud and clear.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: Will Ms Campbell repeat that, please?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: A couple of clear actions have been identified by the witnesses. We will write to the various Ministers following on from the meeting and ask them to expedite measures to address those challenges facing the industry that could be addressed right here right now to save the summer in terms of staffing, recruitment and all of that. Can I get agreement from my colleagues to write all those letters?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Niamh Smyth: We will include that among the points we make to the Minister, Deputy Martin, in our correspondence to her. I am sure the witnesses are all exhausted but they have been inspiring and heartfelt in their presentations and we appreciate the effort that goes into that and the giving of their time to be here. We know they are all busy people. Go raibh míle, míle maith agaibh to my...