Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I had intended to raise it myself, I first support the call by Senator Lombard regarding the grain industry. Consequently, I will speak on something else instead, namely, the protection of the 9% VAT rate for the tourism industry. This is a highly vulnerable industry and since the 9% rate was introduced in 2011, it has been responsible for the creation of many jobs right across the sector. There is a fear post-Brexit that were the 9% rate to be touched in the forthcoming budget, it certainly would have a detrimental effect on many jobs and businesses across the tourism sector. The 9% rate gave great confidence in respect of job creation to businesses in the tourism industry during the downturn. As a consequence of the lower VAT rate, it was one of the few industries in which job creation took place and I call on the Minister to retain the 9% rate.