Seanad debates

Thursday, 3 December 2020

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage

 

9:30 am

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State made a very good point on UK tourists. I will not vote against the Government. I have never voted against my own party in my 16 years in public life, nor will I, but I believe we must consider the import of what we are trying to do. Senator Chambers is correct. We have asked for a pause or a review. Let us take it that 2021 is to be a staycationing year again. Travel agents, airlines, airports and those in the hospitality and tourism sector are saying, notwithstanding the roll-out of the vaccine, that 2021 will again be a year of limited travel.They are predominantly saying, notwithstanding the roll-out of the vaccine, that 2021 will be a year of limited travel again. What is this scheme about? It is an important element of the competitiveness of the Irish tourism product. What will be the result of us putting this €75 levy in place? It will reduce the spend. President-elect Biden will be in the White House, which will be good for Irish-American relations and encourage the American tourist to travel in time. For 2021 and 2022, Senator Chambers made a good point regarding the review and I do not understand why we cannot go that way. What we are trying to achieve through one arm of State, as the Minister knows, is to promote tourism. We have given significant supports to the tourism and hospitality sector, and rightly so, and we are suddenly saying to the non-EU market that we are trying to attract and incentivise to travel that we are going to change the tax regime, which is one of the many good reasons to come to Ireland. It goes back to Senator Casey's point about the corporation tax compared with the VAT rebate scheme. It should be a set percentage.

Regional tourism is dependent on non-EU travel, especially from North America. Given that we are now building links with China, I hope that we can develop links with Taiwan further. I question what will be gained by this change. I acknowledge that we have come from €175 to here. I have heard nothing to convince me that we should have changed our policy. I will not vote against the Government. I have never done that. However, there is an easy option to opt for the review first. There will be less travel in 2021 than in 2019 or 2018.

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