Results 1-10 of 10 for chefs speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Report on Working Conditions and Skills Shortages in Ireland's Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Motion (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Conway: ...what is happening in restaurants and hotels. I know of one hotel last summer that had a close a floor because it could not get staff. I also know of many restaurants that must limit their menu because they cannot find chefs and floor staff. I was talking to the lady who runs the coffee shop across the road beside Buswells. She has had to reduce her menu again because of the challenges...

Seanad: Tourism: Statements (5 Apr 2022)

Martin Conway: ...help to alleviate the pressure in the short term, in the long term, we will need to get our act together when it comes to bringing back training for those in the hospitality sector, including chefs, and so on. At this stage, the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality industry needs to be permanent. There cannot be too many peaks and troughs. That is important. The Cliffs of Moher are a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Feb 2022)

Martin Conway: .... When I to places like Westport, the first thing I do is book the restaurants I would like to go to because of the demand. That demand arises from the phenomenal work being done by restaurant owners and chefs in this country, together with the fantastic agrifood and fish suppliers that feed into this industry, which employs tens of thousands of people. The Restaurants Association of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Jun 2021)

Martin Conway: ...begin in July. That is fantastic news. We are all very excited about it and welcome it but there is a serious problem with restaurants in this country in the context of their ability to retain chefs. I have spoken to a number of restaurant owners over the past few days who are finding it extremely difficult to hire chefs. I spoke this morning to Adrian Cummins, the CEO of the...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (12 Jun 2018)

Martin Conway: ...to Ireland for all of the above. They come here to experience what is different and unique about Ireland. There is much that needs to be done to improve it. I agree with Senator Ned O'Sullivan and others that chefs pose a big problem. We need joined-up thinking between the Departments of the Ministers of State, Deputy Griffin and Deputy Halligan, to put programmes in place to ensure...

Seanad: Commencement Matter: Skills Shortages (3 May 2018)

Martin Conway: ...of this country, to be quite frank about it. I have tabled this matter because I am contacted regularly by people in the hospitality industry who express their frustration about trying to get chefs. Our tourism industry is going exceptionally well. We have seen enormous growth in recent years. It provided an essential cushion as we were emerging out of recession, particularly in my...

Seanad: Commencement Matter: Skills Shortages (3 May 2018)

Martin Conway: ...very important. I commend the Minister of State on his comprehensive reply. We will see how we get on. Other Departments have a role in this area, in particular in the granting of permits for chefs to come from abroad. That is another avenue that I can explore in the future. I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2016)

Martin Conway: ...and create far more apprenticeships. I will conclude on the phenomenal growth in tourism that is taking place. There is an argument for the return of CERT. It was a fantastic way of training chefs and people within the hospitality industry. I cannot understand for the life of me why it was discontinued but we need to reignite CERT. It would bring back quality to the hospitality,...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: ...within the industry be established, similar to the CERT system, whereby they could be trained to fill the thousands of current vacancies. There will be more vacancies as the industry grows for chefs, sous-chefs and commis chefs and in other positions within the hospitality sector. Thousands of jobs can and will be created, but there is already a skills shortage which will become even...

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: ...did 150 years ago, have a significant role to play in this country. I spoke to members of the Restaurants Association of Ireland at their briefing across the road last week. They told me they needed thousands of chefs. I am sure many of the migrants coming here will be well able to cook if they are given the opportunity and will contribute to our tourism industry. Tourism in Ireland is...