Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Lombard raised the issue of cashflow and working capital and the assistance provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. As he rightly said, that is what is required.

In response to Senator Gavan, I am on record as saying that the 9% VAT rate is important. In particular, we must continue to attract tourists to this country post-Brexit. It is not about incentivising restaurants and hotels but having an attractive package for tourists. It is of equal importance that the people who live here can afford to go to restaurants and spend their money in the local economy.

I would be disappointed if a person working in the hotel industry was sacked for his or her membership of a trade union or for being a trade unionist. Those of us who were members and advocates of a union or were shop stewards and representatives who attended branch meetings of a union recognise the importance of and need for unions. I hope that the Restaurants Association of Ireland and the Irish Hotels Federation will engage with unions. It is a dialogue and not a monologue so both sides should interact. The Senator is right that the hotel industry can be a transient place of employment for some people. There have been issues, with family-run hotels in particular, but the situation has changed. It is important that people are offered a continuity of contract and time in hotels in particular and in restaurants. I actively encourage both sides to engage. I would be disappointed if someone was sacked for membership of a trade union.